Leaving is and would always be a part of my life. That I knew early, once upon an innocent time. But today, under the sinister clouds hovering in the sky, leaving seemed to be an excruciating option.

I kept my face in a stoic expression throughout the ride to the airport, afraid I would break down and sob if I couldn't contain my emotions. My gaze found something particularly interesting on the car seat, making a small crack of astonishment cross my face. A pale arm – mine – gently glided through the air before hovering on top of the stack of books resting on the car seat.

I frowned. What were these doing in the car? Didn't I tell Rianne not to bother giving me a farewell present? I sighed softly. The downside of leaving a good friend: there are too many memories to hold and remember; automatically allotting time for 'what-ifs' and 'if-onlys'.

I gripped the spine of the first book, bringing it up to my face to examine the back. I shot a look at the three other books on the seat, the stack still managing to seem complete even without the book in my hand.

I turned it over, looking at the cover closely this time. A pair of chalky pale hands held an effervescent red apple. The word Twilight was written in silver text. I flipped open to the first few pages and realized that the story took place in Forks.

Just where I'm going.

I flipped through the pages some more. Upon seeing the words, 'the Cullens', the corners of my mouth pulled slightly upward. This was the book Rianne was talking about. The one 'you can't get enough of'. The thought of her and her parting gifts was enough to keep me fine throughout the rest of the ride. Not happy, but not sad either.

I felt it was all right for me to leave – that she could take care of herself without me, and for that I was content.

"Eve?" My cousin John called my name with obvious uncertainty from the driver's seat, bringing me out of my silent shell.

"Yeah." I deadpanned without even the slightest raise of voice, wanting a clean break. Separation doesn't need to be hard for John's family and me. Though, I would miss their sunny, bright home in Seattle. I would miss the lighthearted jokes and the laughter echoing throughout the halls. I would miss Rianne.

But there's nothing I can do if they are willing to pass me on. I sometimes feel like a tool someone gets fed up with using and simply gives away.

I raised my eyes to see John's piercing blue hues glancing at me tentatively, slowing down the car in the process. His sandy blond hair went past his eyebrows, almost covering his eyes. "Do you really want to go?" John asked finally, letting his gaze settle on the road before us. I wanted to beg him to let me stay. I swallowed the urge.

"Yeah."

I bit my lip, angry at myself. I didn't want to go, but I needed to. Even if John's parents act as if they could handle another kid in the house, I knew that if I stayed, his family couldn't have coped with having an extra mouth to feed. If I left…

"Okay." John's answer was set. He wouldn't get in my way even if I wanted him to. I cast my eyes down again, waiting.

The airport looked as gloomy as the skies. John carried my luggage for me. I waved goodbye to him before boarding the plane, the four books in hand. The one-hour plane ride seemed to drag on longer than I expected. Without having anything to do, I read.

At exactly the sentence, "That was the first night I dreamed of Edward Cullen", I felt the air pressure abruptly change, like in a moving elevator. I looked out the window and slowly realized that the small plane was landing. I stacked the books together and waited until the plane came in contact with the ground. I paused inside the airport, reached into the handy backpack I carried and pulled out Twilight. I looked at the Contents page and saw the name of place where I was now, chapter eight, page 152.

Port Angeles, which Isabella Swan described as' a beautiful little tourist trap', is where I would find Aunt Reese, whose house I would reside in until another relative would offer to take me out of my guardian's capable hands.

I looked back at the heavens. It was the same sky, but now it seemed to be partaking in my reminiscence. My parents died in a fire that burned our second home in Shanghai. It was during one of their business trips. My thirteen-year-old self didn't hear from them again – until six months later, when a letter came informing me of the death of my beloved parents.

I was passed from guardian to guardian, mother to mother, father to father, sister to sister, brother to brother. I grew quite used to leaving a place and adapting to a new one. It made me able to read people easily, seeing the same reactions, the same emotions, over and over and over…

Sadness. Guilt. Regret. Remorse. Arousal. Disgust. Jealousy. Happiness. Lust.

I was fairly acquainted to them now, as they are acquainted to people's faces. So here I was, seventeen years old and practically traveling the world alone. Yippee.

I tucked Twilight under my arm before casually walking to the entrance of the building I was in. I searched the faces of everyone there, looking for someone that resembles my relatives or me. I was about to give up and make it on my own to Forks when a dainty finger tapped my shoulder hesitantly.

I turned to be greeted by a woman, about 5'4" in height, I guessed, and slim. Pale blond strands of hair were curled around her finger, her eyes boasting a startling color of sea green and laugh lines. She looked like she belonged in a ballroom rather than the airport, tapping on a stranger's shoulder. Her lips pulled a pout – a pout I soon recognized as a fake – as if she didn't want to do something.

"Are you Evolette White?"

The voice that came from her seemed almost of a child's, high pitched and at the same time curious. It took me a moment to register her words. "Uh, call me Eve?" I hastily replied, offering her the nickname most people prefer to use. The stranger appeared thoughtful for a moment, before flashing me a brilliant smile. "I'd rather use Evolette, if you don't mind."

The woman pushed a delicate hand in the air, offering me a handshake. "I'm Nicole Riza Paddock, Evolette. It is a pleasure to finally meet you." I took her hand, still wondering how she knew who I was, until it hit me. "Aunt Reese?" I blurted out in astonishment, before blushing fervently. Reese laughed, like silver bells tolling at a wedding. Behind her a male suddenly came, looking just as pleased as she was. Reese smiled at me again. "Evolette, this here is Brian, my son."

Brian has reddish-brown hair that spiked up in different directions, but was mostly directed to his face. His eyes were also green, like his mother's. His nose was straight and his features were warm and welcoming. When he smiled, a dimple showed on his cheek. He gave me a small wave as Reese introduced him. I waved back.

Reese nonchalantly asked Brian to carry my bags for me while she continued to fire question after question at me. Upon reaching their car, a light-blue Scion TC, she took a break from interrogating me, leaving me quite breathless but glad at the distraction. Brian sat shotgun, leaving me alone at the back.

The ride to Forks grew unbearably silent. Brian, somehow noticing my discomfort, turned on the stereo. I smiled in thanks, but I didn't know if he saw it. Reese offered me a bottle of water, asking if I was thirsty. I was.

"Mom couldn't wait for you to come here," Brian suddenly said. His eyes were closed and the faintest of smiles hovered across his lips. I hummed my reply, unscrewing the lid of the bottle. I raised it to my mouth, feeling the water slide down my throat. "She told everyone she knew you were coming –" he glanced at my drinking figure. "Half the town, it seems."

The water almost spewed out of my nose.

I coughed, "What? Half the town?" Brian opened his eyes at the sound of my voice, and he looked at me as he replied, "Yeah. Word gets around pretty fast in Forks, y'know?" Reese made a tsk-tsk noise of disapproval. Brian smiled at her guiltily. "Sorry Mom. It's the truth though, Evolette."

"Eve," I threw out halfheartedly. Brian looked back at me again, the smile still on his face, only now the guilt slid out of it. "Eve it is, then," he said.

The car came to a halt in front of a two-story house in the outskirts of Forks. The green roof looked about a shade darker under the sunless sky, and the gate seemed to have been recently garnished. Trees surrounded the abode, making the house seem eerie. I shuddered uncontrollably, accidentally thinking about horror movies and how most of it started with a house. The sound of the doors unlocking made me jump.

Damn. What kind of place is Forks?

I stepped out of the car after I had the four books safely in my hands. I hugged them to my chest (the sensation grew incredibly uncomfortable, so I settled on leaving it in my backpack) and stayed a step behind my aunt while Brian unloaded my bags and carried them behind me.

At the entrance of my new home, Reese turned around. She looked at me pointedly and said, "You look as white as sheet, Evolette. Is there something wrong?" I felt the blood rush to my cheeks as Brian struggled to get a view of my face. "No, nothing's wrong." I said, unable to confess my silly feelings of fear. The pressure of Brian's gaze along with his mom's made me blush harder and look down.

I could somehow see the smile on Reese's face as she turned to the door again, while Brian muttered from my side, "Dark red is far from white, mum."

I decided not to question his rather strange remark and followed my aunt into the house. It looked simple, with white walls and furniture. The room I entered was rectangular, a door leading to another room while the stairs sat in plain view at the left corner. A circular, wooden table acted as the centerpiece of the room while four wooden chairs surrounded it. A plain white sofa rested beside it, facing south where the door is, while in front of it was a television. Four windows were distributed evenly on both sides of the room.

A wall that appeared to be more of a pillar held a painting of sunflowers glistening after the rain. It gave the place color. I sidestepped to let Brian pass, letting my gaze wander to the ceiling (a deep hole in it caused me to backtrack; it was a light bulb) and to the floor (where a wonderful plush white carpet laid).

Managing to keep my curiosity dormant, I followed Reese to the second floor. She led me to a room ("Remember: third door to the right, Evolette dear!") with Brian trailing behind me. It appears that he wasn't much of a talker after all. I braced myself as my aunt opened the door to my new room at a slow, overly-dramatic pace. I tried not shiver in anticipation.

The walls were a blank white, like most of the others in the house. A window big enough for me to poke my head out was on the opposite side of the door. A dark green, velvety curtain draped over it. There was a tan-colored carpet that poked out a bit more than six inches from under the bed. There was a cabinet. Another door I assumed led to a bathroom. It was pretty much the average room, except with additional furniture here and there.

I was glad I liked it. If I didn't, how could I possibly stand living in a room where it looks like a freaking prison cell, for Christ's sake?

I heard a loud thump behind me. All of a sudden I remembered Brian with my things, and saw Reese tracing the curtain with a manicured finger in front of me, chatting happily about how she wanted to redecorate. I walked to where she was, leaving Brian to carry my bags again and place them inside.

What can I say? I'm a sadist.

There was a knock downstairs. A second passed before Reese threw me an apologetic smile, and I nodded understandingly. "Evolette dear," she said, grimacing as the knocks increased in frequency, "why don't we leave you here alone to settle down, and we'll see who's at the door." I half-turned my head to Brian, who was already eyeing the open doorway with what looked like irritation on his face. "I'll be alright, Aunt Reese," I replied, trying to smile as benign as she did.

She walked passed me; Brian followed. I closed the door and sighed. As I unpacked, I heard some kind of commotion downstairs. I stared at the carpet below my feet before sighing again, closing my eyes.

Busy day for them, the Paddocks.

I entered the bathroom and caught a look at my appearance. Tousled light-brown hair that reached the small of my back were scattered on my shoulders, while green-gray hues stared out from my eyes. I bit my lip; the image in the mirror did the same. I wouldn't say I was appealing to anyone's eyes, but that's just me.

I pinched my straight nose and held my breath, looking at the puffed cheeks the mirror reflected. All right, this was it; time to start anew with a brand-new air on things. At the moment my lungs started to crave for oxygen, I let go of my nose and exhaled. Then, I inhaled back the new fragrance of the air freshener in the bathroom, and the fresh lungful of air for a new life.

~*** from the author.

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