Title: Inevitable Choices
Author: Blair
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: In my dreams, I do own Twilight, but not here.
Summary: Bella, scared out of her mind of being left by Edward, disappeared five years ago, without warning anyone. But now, she still finds herself craving every piece of Edward the way she used to. And when a call from Alice turns her world upside down, the only thing she can do is fight. Please read!!! AH
Chapter 1:
Bella Swan turned on her heel and started back down the stretch of beach she had just walked. She was getting sand in her new shoes, but she didn't care, all she wanted to feel was that warm breeze that blew her dark hair in her face, and danced on her skin, the same way the wind felt in Forks.
She pulled herself to the ground, crossing her legs and staring into the depths of that swelling ocean, so contrasting with the glittering stars above her head; a smooth, glossy sheet of glass that remained unmoving.
The last five years passed through her mind like a blur, as if this was her death and her whole life was flashing before her eyes; but Bella Swan had died long ago. She had been forced to stay in an array different motels in Nice, accommodations that shouted out loud: "This girl has nothing." But she couldn't live here in limbo anymore, contemplating whether or not she'd leave tomorrow, so she'd given herself an ultimatum: she could stay here in Nice, or she could go home.
Go home, back to Forks, back to Edward, back to the only place in the world she'd ever felt loved.
And every second she was wondering what would've happened if she hadn't run away, and if she had stood strong for the first time in her life.
After Edward's car had crashed into that tree of steel that had mangled his Volvo and her heart, Bella was terrified. She couldn't stand to see how scared she was to lose him. Needing him, needing someone who wasn't herself, sent her head into an explosion of worry and doubt that would ultimately lead to the brunette's premature demise.
Leaving had been the best thing to do; rather than sitting around and waiting for that inevitable moment when Edward Cullen would tire of Plain Jane and move on. The fact that she still needed him, when she'd never even known what it was like to be dependent on a human being before, drove her mind into a hurricane of crashing confusion that impaired all of her senses.
Going back to Forks... just the thought sent her body into feverish convulsions, her throat slowly closing in on her until she couldn't breathe through the sobs that espoused her, pulling her farther away from the sanity she had nearly destroyed 1,826 days ago.
She waited until the goose bumps appeared on her moonlit skin and the tears subsided, leaving her cheeks swollen and sticky, to finally stand up and bid the now calm waters farewell, admitting defeat to the war that had gashed her insides and sent her blood spilling in a rubicund mess down the porcelain sink for too long, Bella Swan conceited to the gravitational pull that kept her heart rooted in Nice.
Bella entered her musty suite, nearly 4 miles away from the now blackened shores. Not bothering to turn on the light, she absentmindedly made her way to the scratchy and germ-ridden bed, hoping for the sanctuary that only unconsciousness could bring her. Praying, that for once, his scarred face wouldn't haunt her dreams. She picked up her cell phone from the small nightstand, hesitant to call Charlie, with the tears still so fresh in her voice.
Her phone blinked a warning in bold words, declaring that she'd missed a call. Sighing, Bella collapsed, dialing her voice mail and settled deep into the soggy mattress.
"Hey Bella, I know we haven't talked in awhile, but um… I feel like there's something you should know. I hoped Nice treated you nice, but Forks could really use you around right now. I mean… I don't know how to say this, so I'll take the direct approach: Edward's getting married in two weeks. God, Bells, I wouldn't have bothered you, but she's horrible. No one can take her, not even Carlisle and Esme... And Edward: he doesn't love her, Bella… I know this is hard to hear, but he loves you, I know he does. I get that this is your life and all, but maybe you could try, if not for Edward, for me; Bella, she shops at the Gap. No matter your decision, I'll still love you, so, call me."
Alice's voice disappeared, and Bella almost smiled, imagining her friend, sneaking away from Jasper and the rest of the Cullens to send her plea.
But Edward? Getting married? To someone who wasn't her? Bella had always imagined that if she stayed in this lifeless city, someday her prince would come find her.
Edward was the reason none of the European boys had looked cute, or even remotely acceptable for that matter, especially not compared to him.
Bella staggered out of bed, turning on the lamp, and stared out her window at the glittering lights of Nice. They looked so false and misleading in comparison to the way that Edward's smile had illuminated the whole state of Washington. She could imagine this place looking beautiful to the untrained eye, but Bella had learned that nothing was picturesque through the eyes of heartbreak.
Without Edward, she couldn't feel it; she couldn't see what everyone else was seeing. Taking a deep, shaky breath she dashed back to the black phone lying on her muddled sheets, before punching in one of the numbers she'd never thought she'd ever call again.
"Alice, I got your voicemail, I'm coming home."
Hey, please leave your comments! And check out the next chapter, coming soon!
Love,
Blair