Alice told me to run. So I did. On autopilot.
After 30 hours on a plane, and having left my best friend begging for me to stay in Forks instead of running half-way across the world to rescue the "man" who had left me I didn't have the energy to think.
I ran towards the clock tower, through the throngs of celebrating Italians, looking for Edward. I saw him as he started to remove his shirt, exposing himself, and his world to that of the normal human. Everything seemed to fall into place in my head as soon as I saw him; I felt empty, lonely, but nothing for him. I turned around, thankful for Alice entrusting me with our open airline tickets, hailing down the first cab I saw. I slid in and pulled open the phrase book Alice had put in my backpack, searching for the one word that would see me back to Forks. "Ermmm aeroporto per favore." The driver nodded turning away from the festivities. I knew it wouldn't be long until Alice saw what I was doing, but I was past caring. They left me when I needed them, so they can have some of their own medicine I thought.
The drive to the airport seemed to take hours, perhaps it was only because of Alice's crazy driving. I gave the cab driver some of the money Alice had stashed in my bag, running towards the terminal. I practically threw myself onto the United Airlines counter. "Home, Seattle, next flight," I gasped at the woman. She nodded, her fingers thrashing over the keyboard, squinting and studying the screen hard. "Boarding in five minutes okay," she questioned, looking at me sideways. I nodded grabbing the boarding pass of her, sprinting to the gate, hoping not to trip over. Thank goodness I had only had time to pack hand luggage. I rushed through the bag checking, desperate to get on the flight to New York, before flying into Seattle.
The flight into New York seemed quick, I slept most of the way. In New York I realised someone would need to get me from the airport since I had no USD on me. I scrolled through my contacts to find Jacob's number, urgently pushing the call button. He didn't answer. No surprise, I guess I deserved it. I tried the rest of the pack, Embry, Quil, Sam, I even tried Emily but it seemed none of them wanted to take my call. I gave in and dialled Charlie's number. "Isabella Swan where the bloody hell are you," he screamed down the phone. "Dad," I sobbed, "I'm in New York, at the airport. Can you please come to Seattle and get me off the next flight?" He grunted, "Bella what's going on?" he asked, "don't worry I'll be at the airport waiting for you. It's ok." I felt relieved, yet still anxious about my return to Forks, and more importantly to Jake and La Push. They announced boarding over the intercom so I made my way towards the gate.
When the plane landed, I didn't hurry through Customs, instead taking my time before the eye of the Hurricane Charlie hit home. Of course he was there, waiting for me. Instead of yelling, he said nothing. Nothing, for the next two days, he didn't speak, or even glance at me. I spent most of that time in my room, thinking, reading, waiting. I desperately wanted to beg for forgiveness, from my Dad and Jacob and everyone else. After two days Charlie knocked on my door, walking in a few seconds later. My cheeks were tear stained, my eyes stinging, and my hair probably in all directions. He said nothing for a few seconds. "Bella, what's going on? Where did you go? Jacob's been calling to see if you are here every 10 minutes," his eyes looked pained. The waterworks started again, "I'm sorry," I spluttered, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have gone. I made a mistake. Dad I've ruined everything. Jacob will hate me forever, so will the rest of La Push." Charlie instinctively wrapped an arm around me whispering, "Bells it's ok baby, nobody hates you. We're all just trying to understand why." I nodded against him. "Because I'm stupid and pathetic," I mumbled. Charlie shook his head. He couldn't cope with emotion anymore than I could.
I decided it was time to go and cut my losses with Jake. As I drove my truck along the familiar roads to La Push, I couldn't help but wonder what if. What if nature had just happened? Would it really have been Bella and Jake forever like everyone imagined? I dropped the clutch as I stopped the truck, stalling it. I saw Billy stick his nose through the net curtains, Charlie had probably already rung to warn them of my arrival. The front door swung open, that's when I saw him, muscles and all, my heart stopped momentarily. He didn't even look at me, he just turned his back and ran. I leaped out of the car, "Jaaaaaaakkkeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!," I screamed, tears pouring down my cheeks as I collapsed beside the truck in a heap.
I don't really know what happened next because when I woke up I was in my bed. I wandered downstairs. I could hear Charlie talking quietly in the lounge. I was shocked to see Jacob sitting there. "Jacob," I started. He looked up, his eyes full of disappointment. "Bella," a tear rolled down his face. Charlie stood up to give us some time. I sat, perched on the edge of the sofa. I didn't know what to say, or where to start. How was I supposed to explain everything in my head, my apologies, my feelings for him, the pain in my heart?