I Was Here
Twin Forks - Back To You
I was young so I forgot Look ahead, look behind
Which was my place and which was not
Thought I had a good shot
I took it right in my eye
Take another, I don't mind
Urgh…I was tired.
After a ten hour flight and two hour drive, I was finally in Mystic Falls. Rather than feeling relieved, I was left feeling dirty, hungry, thirsty and completely exhausted.
The clear, long winded roads meant that I had been constantly driving so I was thankful to finally hit the traffic lights and come to a stop. While waiting, I flexed my fingers and shook my hands to get rid of the knots tightening in my muscles.
When releasing another weary sigh, I fell back onto the chair and involuntarily found myself reaching down to grasp the ring around the chain. For what felt like the millionth time, I studied the diamonds encrusted in the white silver engagement ring.
The spectrum of colours being flooded with the emerald reflection that made me let go. I looked up and sure enough the light had turned green so I stepped on the pedal and began to drive. Once the speed was steady, I slipped the ring under my top so it would stay hidden.
My attention was back to the road but occasionally, I would glance at the suburban streets. All of them easily recognised, making each fleeting memory more vivid. This only made things more strange and disorienting.
I know that I would have been back sooner – especially with the sudden engagement but I didn't think it would have been this soon. Of course, I had planned on talking to my sister about it and for her to answer the question behind my insanity.
I mean, forgiving Edward was one thing, taking him back was an entirely different thing but accepting his proposal was just downright crazy.
Being with him was so difficult and I hated how he always knew what to say. Even his last departing words to me were probably derived from some classic novel.
"You go on. Just know that I will be right here, waiting for you…"
Damn him!
Damn him and his ability to see through me.
Sometimes I felt like he was using words to manipulate me because he knew exactly what he was doing to me. How could he not?
Anyway, I should be thankful that he understood my needs for having some time alone. I wanted a few minutes where I could just think…which was why I needed my sister.
When we were younger, we shared everything and never had any secrets.
After leaving, I didn't want that to change but all my letters, e-mails and calls never got any responses. She never got back to me. Well that was until two days ago when she called me.
I had been sitting on the Cullen's porch, staring up at the silver dotted sky with my phone gripped against my ear as I listened to the cracked over the line, "Bella I need you" she had croaked and I knew at that moment that I needed to be back home.
Those words had been my undoing.
…and now I was here.
I turned the wheel and parked it outside the all too familiar street. My hand then reached over to the handle, unlocking the rented Audi before stepping out into the warm breeze. I then rested back on the car, looking down the street while enjoying the feel of the sun rays dancing along my bare skin.
When I remembered Mystic Falls weather, I changed in the airport's bathroom, so I was dressed in a simple tank, shorts and my favoured converse. Now, I took my hair tie and pulled the heavy locks into a tight but messy ponytail so I could look up at my old home.
White painted house, large brown doors and dark green shutters with a matching porch. The wooden rocking chair was still there at the end and from where I could stand the mat was still there. It was probably the same one that said; Nice Underwear.
Dad's idea of a joke.
No - nothing had changed.
Well maybe one thing…
The attic room upstairs had the windows closed as well as the shutters. We never used to do that but I now understood why.
Just taking it all in brought back memories – good and bad, but they all left a painful sting behind. Each vignette picture fleeting through was suddenly engulfed by clouds of heavy smoke. All which were now overcome by the uncontrollable flames I envisioned tearing a warpath down the staircase, and through the rooms, gradually closing in on me.
The thoughts now had my heart pounding against my chest so I reached up to clasp it, taking heavy deep breaths and reminding myself that I wasn't there.
To distract myself, I walked down the path but paused remembering something. When looking down, I crouched down and traced the outline of the handprints. Underneath each one were our names – well half our names and our ages underneath.
Jer – 5, Isa – 7, Ele – 7
Further down the path, I could still see the faint chalk marks from of our hopscotch games. The boxes were still there because dad had decided to paint the lines down after the rain washed away the chalk.
So many memories…
"Isabella?"
The familiar sound had me whipping around to look up to the materialisation from the past.
Sherriff Forbes.
"It is you" she gasped once again and the second her arms widened, I accepted the embrace. A sob leaving the both of us as I wrapped my arms around her. Her own arms clung on to me tightly while his cheek rested warmly against mine.
We only broke apart when we heard footsteps bound down towards us. "Sheriff, what's g-?"
The voice had another sob trembling against my lips and my teary eyes whipped around to see my brother approaching us. Though he stopped when our eyes met and his lips parted with his surprised gasp. "Bell?" he continued to look at me, unblinking as if he feared I would disappear
"Jeremy…" I trailed off, not making a move as I feared how he would react. I ended up not having to worry because within seconds, his arms were around mine, securing me to him.
"You're here" he breathed. "You're home" he added shakily and I smiled against his chest. Being in his arms and in his presence made me question my decision for having left.
After some time, we reluctantly broke apart but I still held him at arm's length wanting to study him closely. He seemed to return the favour as he tilted his head and grinned, "You look great" he complimented and I felt my cheeks flush. "And you still blush"
"Some things never change" Ms. Forbes commented with a sly smirk and walked away while dialling a number. Probably to inform her daughter of my surprise appearance, though I was sure Elena had already informed Caroline.
I regarded her with a mock glare before turning back to my little brother. "What about you?" I exclaimed, taking in just how much he had changed. He was taller, more built and his age was now more defined, making it difficult to see him as my little brother. "You've been working out" I teased, pinching his arm and then crossing my arms. "I wonder who for?"
"What makes you think it's for anyone?" he retorted but I could easily read into his nervousness.
"I'll get it out of you" I replied, "If not, I'll get it from Elena" I added and then the thought had me looking over his shoulder and towards the house. "Speaking of…where is she?" I wondered aloud but my curiosity now made me perturbed when I caught Jeremy's fallen expression.
"What do you mean?" he grimaced and worry was now ignited in his darkened gaze. "I thought – we all thought she was coming to you…" he mused and then worriedly ran his fingers through his hair.
"What?"
A/N: Where oh where has Elena gone? What is going on with Bella and her memories? Should Bella say yes to Edward or wait for our favourite tall dark and mysterious?
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