Coming Home

A/N : So, this isn't my first fanfic. Ha. That'll throw you off. The first chapter is a touch depressing, but the rest will be a lot better, really! Don't 'forget' to review!

Looking up at the greyness of the sky, I sighed. Why had I come to visit my parents in Forks? I would be moving to Seattle soon enough. Why hadn't I put off my visit a while longer, or wait until after I was settled in? Sure, my parents lived here, but so did clouds. And Emmett wasn't here. Emmett, my adorable body-builder of an adopted brother. He was a total idiot, but he had a heart of gold and wouldn't hurt anyone. Unless they were annoying me. I smirked grimly, remembering when Emmett had attacked my last boyfriend. As memories of that horrific relationship filled my mind, I lost my sense of humor and tried in vain to fight them…

"Come on, Bells, I've waited long enough!" whined Jacob. He sat beside me on the couch in the living room.

"No, Jake. I'm not ready yet," I replied. When would he get the point that I just didn't want to? Sometimes he was really annoying.

"Will you ever be?" he asked, as always.

"No, probably not," I joked easily. But he didn't appreciate my humor. His face darkened, and I could see determination and anger in his eyes.

"Jake? Are you okay?" I asked. He was scaring me.

"I've made up my mind, Bella. I'm not waiting any longer." And with that, he leaned in and ripped my shirt off. He was so strong.

"Jake? Jake, what are you doing? Get off me!" I screamed desperately as he pushed me down onto the couch, unbuttoning my pants. What the hell did he think he was doing? Was he trying to…to rape me? I was overcome by a wave of fury. I reached out and grabbed the phone, hitting him hard on the head. Stunned, he raised his hands to the spot where I had hit him. I took advantage of the situation and ran to the bathroom, locking the door behind me. I pressed the speed dial button, frantic.

"Hello?" asked a deep voice.

"Emmett! Help me! Jake's gone crazy!" I yelled, half-crying.

"I'm there. Get out of there, get safe, then call 911. I'm coming." He hung up just as something hard crashed into the door. I screamed.

"I'll get you eventualy, Bella, I swear!" yelled Jacob. His voice had a rough edge to it that I'd never heard before.

I looked around wildly for an escape. There was a window. I rushed to it, even though I knew that I was on the 7th floor. I struggled with latch, trying to open it as I shook with fear.

That's when Jacob,who had been throwing himself against the door all this time, broke in.

He stood in the doorway, his long shaggy hair a mess. He was breathing heavily, his arms hanging at his sides. His eyes burning with purpose as he stepped toward me, he looked for all the world like an axe murderer.

"Jake, wait. Think about what you're doing," I pleaded weakly, knowing that it wouldn't stop him.

"I've thought it through, Bella. I'm done waiting."

But instead of coming towards me, he was launched backward.

By Emmett.

My brother looked at me, rage, love and hate in his eyes. He winked at me, then closed the door as he yelled his fury. I heard sounds of a short, violent scuffle that ended with a large crack.

Then, there was silence.

Suddenly, the door burst open and I recognized, to my relief, the hulking shape of Emmett coming towardsme, arms wide. I only had time to take one step before he pulled me into a big bear hug, reassuring and warm. I stood crying into his chest, and he whispered comforts to me…

As a car whizzed past me in the opposite direction, I was startled out of my bad memories.

"Crap," I muttered, noticing that my exit was less than a hundred meters away. I quickly went from the fast lane to the right lane, earning a few well-deserved honks from annoyed drivers.

As I shook the rest of the awful memories from my head, I cranked up the volume on the radio. 'Shadow of the Day' by Linkin Park was playing. How appropriate.

From memory, I made my way to my parents' house, forcing myself to be happy.

By the time I pulled into their driveway, I had nearly prepared myself for them. As I turned off the car, I readied myself for my parents, thinking happy thoughts and humming cheerful songs. I plastered a smile on my face and walked up to the door. I rang the doorbell, and as soon as the first note chimed, Renee was tearing open the front door, tears of joy in her eyes.

"Bella!" she exclaimed. "I'm so glad you could visit us before you moved to Seattle! I didn't think you would!" She let me go and peered around me, searching for Emmett, probably.

"Where's your brother?" she asked. Of course.

"Mom, I already told you that Emmett probably wouldn't be coming," I explained once again.

"Yes, I know he had some business thing to go to, but can't he get more flexible hours?"

"You can't get flexible interview appointments, Mom."

She looked at me with understanding, a look of pity on her face.

"Yes, I know. What has the world come to?" she muttered.

As I finally moved past her into the house, I looked around for Charlie.

"Where's Dad?" I asked.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you, dear. He went fishing today with Harry. You remember Harry Clearwater?"

I nodded. I had often visited him in La Push. I didn't go there anymore. It gave me awful feelings, and I made everything awkward.

"Anyway," blabbed Renee, "he won't be back for at least an hour. So we can have a mini-girls night! I've got nailpolish and colorful makeup and I even got a spa kit!" She positively beamed at the thought of the torture.

"Aw, really? That's so thoughtful, Mom, but I'm really tired from the drive and all that," I replied, hiding my alarm. No way was I going to accept a 'mini-girls night'!

As Renee's face fell, I felt guilty, and tried to redeem myself.

"How about … A quick coat of nailpolish as we talk, okay?" It pained me to say it, but her expression was worth it.

"That sounds great, honey! Let's get you moved in first, though."

After gently refusing her help, I got my one suitcase from the trunk of my car and brought it up to my childhood room. Then, accepting my fate, I trudged back downstairs, subconciously dragging my feet.

When Renee saw me, a look of pity crossed her face.

"Aw, sweetie, I'm really sorry, but I think you should go to bed. You look exhausted. You've got these big dark circles under your eyes."

Gee, thanks Mom. Just what I wanted to hear. But at least it got me out of girly-girl torture.

"Yeah, I think I am too tired. I'll see you in the morning. Say hi to Dad for me, okay?" I said, yawning for effect.

Looking at me with motherly love, Renee simply nodded.

I walked up to my room and collapsed gratefully onto my bed. Curling up under the covers, I was surprised at how tired I actually was. And at how comfy my bed was.

"Maybe this won't be so bad after all," I murmured, half-asleep already.

A/N : So, that's the first chapter. Please review and tell me what you think!! I've got the next chapter planned out, it'll be a lot more exciting, I promise!!