Hey you guys. So… I know that you are all waiting for Alternate Meadow's next chapter and I promise it will be up soon; I have had this idea stuck in my head for a long time, and finally I decided to put it on paper.
BACKGROUND INFO: Cullen's are still vampires and they still come the summer before freshman year. Bella grew up in Forks (and with Billy and Jacob) but in a different way (u will understand once you start reading). Bella grew up with the kids in Forks but she was always quiet and wasn't really social. Angela was her only friend. Bella is also less clumsy, but that won't show for a while. ;D
If you have any questions, PLEASE feel free to ask. Most of the story will probably be in Bella's POV. Ok… no more talking. Please enjoy: READ AND REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bella's POV
Let me start out by saying my dad wasn't always like this. He used to be funny and so happy, always teaching me new things. I remember our summers when he took me fishing with him, "uncle" Billy, and Jake: Some of my favorite memories. I remember hiding under the kitchen counter and seeing mom and dad just cuddle while watching a movie. I know I was young, almost 7 years old, but I've always been mature for my age: very adult like. I could just see the love my parents had for each other through their actions and their eyes.
Mom always let dad watch sports, and never complained when we went fishing or camping. Dad knew mom was a free spirit, that's what he loved about her, most. I guess he just didn't know how free she really needed to be.
On September 12, 1995 I heard the door to my parents room slam shut. I looked at the clock to see it was almost midnight – 11:54pm.
"Charlie, I can't do this anymore." My mother cried. I've never heard her so depressed in my life.
"What are you talking about, Renée? I thought you were happy." My father said desperately. I could hear his heart breaking, literally.
"I can't stay here, in Forks. I have so many things I want to do in my life and none of them are possible in… Forks." She whispered the last part, as if it was a secret.
I didn't understand; why was mommy leaving? I heard the words she was saying but I couldn't hear a real reason.
"What about Bella?" Daddy said almost mournfully. I could imagine him looking up the stairs to my room with tearful eyes then looking back at mom.
"I want to take her, Charlie. But all her friends are here and I can't do that to her." She said with a horse tone.
"Renée, you can't. Tomorrow is –" daddy said desperately but was interrupted.
"I know. I know. But I can't pretend anymore. I feel like I'm dead inside." Mommy explained.
"Please Renée; you can't do this to me… to us." Daddy pleaded. I was in a daze, I knew what was happening but I couldn't do anything about it.
"Goodbye, Charlie. I will always love you. Tell Bella I love her." My mother whispered. Those were the last words I heard from her.
- - -
The next day was treated more like a funeral than my birthday. Daddy tried to put on a brave face and make my birthday special.
"Where's mommy?" I asked after we had dinner. He made macaroni and cheese but it tasted more like plastic; I ate it anyway.
"Mommy went on a little trip, sweetie." My dad croaked.
"Why?" I asked. He didn't know I was listening yesterday and I wasn't going to tell him.
"I don't know, honey. I honestly don't know." He said full-heartedly. I left it at that, I could see how much it hurt him. "Come on, Bella. Let's have some birthday cake." He said with a smile but I could see it was forced. I smiled in reply and ate the cake.
After cake, we watched some TV. – Not really watching – and then he tucked me into bed.
"Happy birthday, sweetie." Daddy said as he pulled out a wrapped box.
"Daddy, you didn't have to." I said with tears in my eyes. I opened the gift and saw a beautiful necklace. It was a heart-shaped locket. On the outside, the heard had diamonds everywhere: it glittered every which way I turned it. I opened it up to see the left side occupied with a picture of daddy and me: it was when we were fishing. I was on daddy's lap laughing, as he was smiling. I remember that day perfectly.
"Thank you, daddy!" I said as I wrapped my arms around him.
"I love you, sweetie. Good night" He said while he turned off the lights and closed the door. I put on the necklace and went to bed
I am never going to take this necklace off. I thought to myself as I drifted to unconsciousness.
- - -
A week later, daddy was going through the mail and held up a big yellow folder.
It's from mommy, I thought as I saw the return address. It was grandma's house address.
Daddy opened up the folder and pulled out a pile of papers. The top paper had the words "Divorce Papers" in bold. Daddy's face went from ecstatic to angry; I was just confused.
"Daddy…?" I asked, worried. He looked at me but his eyes were empty of feeling.
"Go to your room." He said quietly but intensely. I went without another word.
I stayed in my room for the rest of the night, reading. I couldn't seem to concentrate on the words though. Why did mommy send divorce papers? Why did daddy look so angry? Was this my fault? I couldn't stop: I had a million questions and without answers, only brought a million more.
I heard daddy walking up the stairs and I walked out of my room. "Goodnight, daddy." I said looking up at him. "I love you!"
He bend down on his knees so he was eye-level with me. I could smell the alcohol on his breath. Again, I was confused. He never drank unless he was at a party or with his friends. "I told you to go to your room" He said, his words slurring a bit.
Out of nowhere his open hand connected with my face. Tears started to fall as my face started to burn.
"Next time, maybe you'll listen…" He whispered grabbing my arm tightly "… sweetie." He finished as he squeezed harder which would probably end up as bruises tomorrow. I didn't say another word, I just nodded. I went in to my room and cried myself to sleep.
- - -
That kind of treatment went on for a while. Charlie was always drunk; he almost lost his job because he shot a civilian Under the Influence. He was banned from field work and now, still, works behind a desk. The day that happened, I received a good beating. Every night I received more punches and slaps, more pushes and kicks. I soon got used to it and understood it was my fault anyway, this was just my punishment.
At school I told people I was just really clumsy and they believed it. I couldn't tell anyone, not even my best friend Angela. It's my fault mommy left; it's my fault daddy's like this. This is my punishment, I have to take it.
I was never really social in school. I kept in the background… always in the back (in the corner; never answering questions, never standing out in academics or athletes.) I was almost invisible. This guy, Mike, used to pick on me in middle school but that stopped as soon as he figured out I wasn't going to do anything about it.
My father and I saw "Uncle" Billy and Jake on a regular basis. Not really fishing anymore, at least not Jake and me. They didn't know either, but Jacob suspected. I acted clumsy around them: falling on flat surfaces, stubbing my toe, head on the door. They stopped the suspicions after seeing all that.
The summer before freshman year, I got a full scholarship to Winston high school: a private school in Boston. They liked my grades and wanted me to be part of their "team". Since I hadn't seen my mom in over 9 years, there was no way of asking to stay with her. Charlie said I could go so I packed my stuff and bought the first plane out of Seattle. I called Angela and she said she would be happy to drive me to the airport.
"Bye dad." I said as I heard Angela honk her horn. Mmmm, was his response. I was almost out the door when he grabbed my arm, hard. "What?" I asked a little anger seeping through.
"Don't talk to me that way." He said as his grip got tighter. "Don't get into any trouble over there, or you'll have hell to pay."
"Ok." I whispered and was out the door.
I thought that was the last time I would see him, the last time he would ever touch me. I was wrong.
REVIEW!!!! I really want to know if I should keep this story going or not… your reviews will determine that.
Again… if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask me; in a review, or a PM… I love meeting new people and friends through Twilight. ;D