Yet another new story, hope you all enjoy!
My alarm clock went off on time, the usual six a.m. Rolling out of bed, I stretched my arms above me, hearing the joints crack. It was another rainy day in Forks, Washington, quite crappy weather for early October. Without further daily I started my daily routine.
I woke Caitlyn first, then moved to the other side of her room where Melly slept soundly. That wasn't nearly as bad as the twins when they were woken up. I went to the twins' room and gently woke them, trying to be soft and calm; the last thing I needed was their attitudes. Sophie didn't take too kindly to the awakening nor did Emma. So while they took their sweet, grumpy time I set out Caitlyn's and Melly's clothes, helping Melly because she was still getting a hang of dressing herself, before I headed downstairs to start lunches. Half way through I heard that distinctive crying of the little girls. I went back up stairs and dressed them in matching fuzzy Piglet ensembles, complete with warm pants and zip up hoodies with little ears, and loaded all four downstairs for breakfast.
Like every morning I listened to them all talk on and on, knowing that a headache was part of being a mom. But the one problem was that I'm not a mom. Okay, headaches are disadvantages caregivers get. My mom or dad didn't get these because they didn't take any part with these girls. I did.
As they were all talking nonsense, seven-year-old Caitlyn making the most sense, I quickly ran upstairs to get ready. I through on jeans and a sweater, throwing my hair up and smudged makeup on the hide the worst of the bruise that covered the right of my face. For the days things just are not perfect, I thought.
I guess I looked a lot like a mom like this, tugging around four kids and not looking like most seventeen year olds. But all I cared about was getting these girls what they needed – trends be damned. Its all that would ever matter. Ever has, ever will.
I was running later and had yet to take Caitlyn and Melly to school, let alone the twins to daycare. Rushing to pack three backpacks and two diaper bags, I ran around to catch the girls hands as Caitlyn grabbed on to Melly's hand and led her out to the car. Recently I'd been upgraded from my beloved Chevy to an average silver car, which really helped with lugging the kids around.
Emma and Sophie started their baby gibberish in the back car seats as Melly started crying. Caitlyn was being that lovely older sister to the almost five-year-old. This was Melly's first year in kindergarten and it made it just that much harder on me.
"Caitlyn, I'm going to be late, can you take Melly to her class?" I pleaded as I pulled into the lot of the Forks Elementary School. She nodded. I helped them out and wished them a good day. Melly wasn't too impressed though. At least she didn't have school tomorrow and would be going to daycare with Emma and Sophie. I dropped them off just as quick, slugging both their bags over my shoulders and holding both their hands as I led them to the daycare.
By this time in the morning I'm already very exhausted. All that running around takes its toll. The worst part is, I haven't even gotten to school yet.
---
I made it to first period with only seconds to spare and made my way to the back, where I always sat by myself. Being social wasn't always my first priority, that would be my siblings, but I was more of an outcast at Forks High School. I wasn't really close with anyone here, I didn't have the time. There was too much going on at home, too much I had to take care of and care for.
But I guess I just didn't like to admit that most people didn't like me. I don't think it has anything to do with my being Chief Swan's daughter, either.
Making it through the first two periods was hard. I had the girls on my mind. It was like this every day, where I just do what I'm supposed to so I can rush home and have everything ready before Charlie and Renee are home. Once I finished English and Trig I was off to lunch, once again, by myself.
As I sipped my Iced Tea I doodled over a blank page in my notebook. Lunch is always the same. Eat by myself and people-watch. I'd pretty much focused my life solely on making Emma's, Sophie's, Melly's and Caitlyn's lives as best as a teenager could, so being social was very minimal to me. I never hung out with anyone.
Getting bored, as usual, I started making a list of things I had to get done tonight, even if it was all burned into my brain:
To Do List:
-Pick up the girls
-Take them grocery shopping
-Cook dinner
-Help Caitlyn with homework
-Bathe them
-Help them get ready for bed
-Do my own homework
The list seemed to fall flat. It was the same constantly. And never an ounce of help. As I finally looked up from my paper, draining the plastic bottle, I noticed a group of new kids. Well, they had to be new, I'd never seen them before. There were five of them, all equal gorgeous. They certainly looked more suited for New York City rather Forks. Yet more people to hate and ignore me.
I sighed, packing my things up and heading for Biology. I sat alone at the back again, staring at the list in front of me. I was early again so I started another list of things I needed to pick up at the grocery store. It was never my favourite thing to do with all the girls, but there was nowhere else for them to go while I shopped. I was surprised at how long the list was and I wasn't even done yet. At least Charlie had dished out a couple hundred for the month in response to how good I'd been. I know that sounds extravagant, but its really not that much. Plus its not for me. It all goes to the girls.
A heap of shiny bronze hair caught my attention and I looked up form my writing. It was one of the new kids I'd seen at lunch. I quickly looked back down, pretending to be much more absorbed in what I was doing than it really was as I heard the stool beside me move. I'd always sat by myself in all my classes, been myself in them all.
Diapers...I continued with my list, pretending not to notice. The last thing I needed was to face another person I was not of level to be acquainted to.
It didn't help when Jessica Stanley walked up to the table we sat at and leaned against it. Even I could smell her breath from where I sat and she was parked in front of my new lab partner.
"Hey Edward, why don't you come sit with me?" she suggested sweetly, smiling.
I'd gone to school with her sense I was Melly's age so I knew all her tricks. I knew what she went after, I knew she was a slut. But you didn't have to have gone to school with her sense she was little to know that.
"I'm quite content here, thank you," he said smoothly, a small hint of irritation in his voice. My head wanted to snap up to look at him in surprise. No one wanted to even be near me, let alone sit next to me. Maybe this guy wasn't okay in the head if he would disregard the chance to probably get laid within his first two days of being in Forks.
"By her?" she demanded, sounding astonished.
This was my time to look up. She was staring at me with a don't-touch-my-property look. I sighed, settling in my seat. I didn't bother object to her references to me; I didn't care if she wanted to throw herself over anything with a pulse. She could set the standards she wanted and the morals she did, and those just happened to be to make my life hell. As if it wasn't hard enough.
"Actually, Jessica, she hasn't thrown herself all over me like you have," he said, still calm. I think there was a hint of amusement there. "I think I would rather stay here."
She groaned, pushing off the desk and starting back to her seat. I didn't understand the confidence that girl had. Did she have no shame?
When I didn't see her anywhere near me, I let out a large breath as I continued with my list. A few moments passed, when I finally decided that this Edward character deserved some short of recognition for what he did.
"Hi, I'm Bella Swan," I said, looking up at his dazzling face. Um, dazzle didn't even begin to describe it. "You are?"
He smiled crookedly. There was no hint of regret or unhappiness for the choice he made. "Edward Cullen, your no lab partner."
I forced a smile. It was too hard to do. "Nice to meet you," I said politely. "You just moved here, right?"
He nodded, his dishevelled bronze hair shining in the light. "With my family from Chicago," he told me.
Our conversation didn't get far when the class was called to order. A part of me was upset that I couldn't talk more with Edward Cullen, because it had been the longest time sense I talked with someone my age, but I knew that I couldn't get close to him. I couldn't get involved. There was already way too much on my mind for me to care about having social relationship. I kept telling myself that as we were assigned a take-home project to do with our partners. I wondered why our teachers were so keen on projects that involve completing them at home, because I knew I wouldn't get a free minute.
After Biology I had Gym. It was my least favourite time of the day, so I wasn't too impressed there. Edward and I shared a few more words, mostly me telling him about how grateful I was for what he said to Jessica. Sure it wasn't in my defence, but it definitely was to my advantage. On my way to Gym I ran into a few of his family members, the ones I'd seen in the cafeteria, and they all seemed so close. Laughing and carefree. I sighed, knowing the girls couldn't experience that as much as I wished they could.
Gym passed fast because I faked a sprained ankle half way through and had to sit out. They were playing volleyball and I was incredibly happy I didn't have to participate. Instead I finished my list off and wondered how I would do this. Maybe if I picked up the girls from school first and then the twins, we could hurry the grocery shopping so I wouldn't have to deal with grumpy kids.
And then if I...
"Bella?" I looked up at Coach Clapp, than around the room. "Class is done."
I blushed with slight embarrassment as I gathered my things up and walked for the door with a slight limp for effect. I didn't care if Coach Clapp didn't buy it; school was done and that's all that mattered.
Struggling to get my notebook back in my bag, I realized I was still faking my limp. I stopped pretending I hurt myself and slipped the book in my bag as I started for my car. I must have been off in la-la-land because I suddenly hit something hard. I first I felt embarrassed for any bystanders to see me run into a car or tree, but I realized that I'd run into a person.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Edward," I quickly apologized upon the realization that I'd hit into him. Talk about embarrassing. His hands were clasped on my upper arms like he was helping steady me.
He grinned breathtakingly. "Are you all right?" he asked, amusement in his voice.
"Uh, yeah, I'm fine," I said, shaking my head from the haze I was in. "Just a little distracted." I gave him a quick smile as I moved around where he'd been standing by a sleek car. But he turned around, following beside me.
"So, hey, about our Biology project," Edward said as I headed for my car. I nodded, urging him to continue. "Its due Monday, when do you want to do it?"
At least he had the guts to make the first move.
I exhaled. "When are you available?" I asked. "Because I'm hardly ever."
"Whenever works for me." He paused. "Whenever you get a free second?" he offered.
"Pretty much," I muttered. I stopped at the bumper of my car, leaning against the front, thinking. "How about you come over this weekend and we can work on it?" I suggested when I remembered Charlie and Renee were going away Friday till the following Saturday. I was never too keen on bringing anyone to my house because if the household I lived in, especially when my parents actually were around. They wouldn't even know that I'd have someone over. If could totally work.
He nodded. "We could always go—"
Edward was interrupted by a shrill, familiar voice that echoed in my head, slowly coming closer. I looked to my left and saw Renee storming toward me. I felt a wave of embarrassment as I saw how she was dressed. Tight jeans and high heels, a shift that showed everything. There weren't many people around, luckily. Great, now this guy that hadn't categorized me as a loser, would. "Isabella!" she shouted, fury coloring her tone. I knew in seconds that I would get it later.
Automatically I looked up at Edward to see what he was thinking now. His bright green eyes were flashing from me to the lady dressed suspiciously like a prostitute. It didn't help that she was tugging along two little girls dressed in their Piglet outfits. At only fifteen months they didn't stand tall, so Renee was hunched over and Emma and Sophie struggled to walk, putting one foot in front of the other. They couldn't get it right. They were tripping and falling on their knees. I watched in surprise and confusion as she pulled them along.
When Sophie fell again I told Edward I would be right back as I ran up to them. Renee had let go of Sophie as Sophie wailed at the top of her lungs, sitting on the cool pavement. As soon as I was close she let go of Emma, who came running to me and I pulled her to my chest as she squealed in excitement of my presence, and my mom stopped yelling my name.
"What's going on?" I asked as calm as possible.
"I just got a call from Marisa that Emma's sick!" Renee snapped, like it sound have been obvious. "I thought you were the emergency contact!"
I tried not to let the tears fall that were threatening my eyes. "I thought I was to," I admitted nonchalantly, as I fixed Emma's light and hot pink fuzzy striped sweater. "Mama!" she shouted, flinging her head back as she did so. I just shook my head. "I'll call her tonight and change that," I told Renee.
"You better," she snapped, lowering her voice to add, "or your father will deal with you tonight. Are we clear?" She pointed a finger at me.
I nodded. "Yes."
Dropping the diaper bags in front of me, she was retreating her steps in seconds, leaving me on my knees with Emma in my arms and Sophie sitting on the ground in tears. I fought off my own harder than before as I stood and pulled up Emma's hood, knowing it as fairly cold.
My temper was running low and my mood was not very good, either. I just wanted to see a change of heart in my parents. But it wasn't happening. I would forever be their mother. Emma reached up for my hand, which I granted quickly. She was always the one need comfort. In my opinion she didn't even look very sick, but I knew there would be some evidence of it later.
"Sophie," I said in a warning voice, "let's go." I held out my hand toward her after slipping both diaper bags over my shoulders. Her face was red and blotchy and she struggled to get to her feet smoothly. Okay, so maybe our whole family isn't graceful. Sophie ran, wobbled, over to me, hitting into my leg as she grabbed my other hand.
We started back to my car and I kept my eyes on them, not wanting to see Edward's reaction to this. Sophie was quiet, still upset, but sick little Emma didn't stop talking. She always had mad talking skills, but it only heightened when she was sick. "Mama!" Emma yelled. "Mama!" I looked down at her and met a wide pair of dark eyes. The hardness of my face melted when I saw her smiling up at me. "MAMA!" she shouted again, though she had my full attention.
Edward was still waiting by the car, leaning against it with a blank look on his face. I knew he had to have million different things running through his head, but he wasn't about to let on to them.
"Sorry about that," I muttered, releasing Sophie's hand – naturally she tried to fight me and started screaming and crying – as I dropped the bags on the ground.
"Its okay," he said seriously, but somewhat dazed.
He stayed silent as I reached into Emma's diaper bag and grabbed a full bottle. Popping off the lid I handed it to her and she took it eagerly, opening her mouth so wide I thought she'd break her jaw. Sophie was doing her fake cry, the one she did to get attention. I picked her up and set her on the hood of my car to look at her hands and knees form where she fell. Nothing, all clear. I sighed in contentment and retrieved a bottle for her as well. Setting her back down Sophie and Emma stood there, drinking the disgusting 3.25% milk and completely silent.
And so it begins.
"This is why I'm always so busy," I told him, gesturing to the two girls dressed in pink.
"They're adorable," Edward told me, looking from me to them and back again.
I smiled. "Thanks."
Suddenly, he looked uncomfortable. "Um, are they yours?" he asked hesitantly.
Shaking my head, I said, "Emma and Sophie are my little sisters, actually." I knew I couldn't tell him anymore than that, and not just because it didn't have anything to do with him.
"I'm sorry," he said quickly. "They just really look like you and you acted so motherly toward them, I just assumed..."
"No, its fine," I said, shrugging. "They think I'm their mother." As if on cue, Emma popped the bottle from her mouth and shouted "mama" before going back to her pervious activity. "See?" I said.
He laughed. "Yes. Definitely."
"Well, I better get going," I said, grabbing each of their arms and leading them to the back of the car. I threw the bags in the back after they were buckled in. "See you tomorrow."
"Yep. See you." He seemed oddly dazed.
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