The Cullens left soon after Bella died. I wish that I could say I was surprised. Charlie, distraught as he was, tried his damndest to connect Edward to Bella's death. I wish I could say I disagreed with him.
I know Edward Cullen had something to do with my sisters death. Call it sisters intuition, or maybe just common sense. As upset as Bella was at her breakup with Edward, there was no way she would leave Charlie, leave me. Renee, well.. Bella and I had done our fair share of raising our own mother. It was Phil's job now. I don't think Bella would be too upset about leaving her. I know I wouldn't.
Then again, Bella was always the "wear your heart on your sleeve" type. I was more of the "bottle it up until you do something self destructive" type. I know, super healthy.
Although I never said anything to the Cullens, I think they knew I didn't trust them. I just hope they know I blame them for whatever happened to Bella.
-o-
On my eighteenth birthday, I woke up to the smell of bacon frying. It put a soft smile on my face, knowing that Charlie was trying his hardest to let me have a good birthday, despite Bella being… well, anyways.
I dressed in my black leggings and dark red knit sweater, laced my ankle boots and spritzed on perfume. My usual makeup routine consisted of a perfectly beat face, arched brows and sharp wings, but today I decided on nothing. Another difference between Bella and I; I loved fashion and makeup whereas Bella despised anything more than jeans and a tee shirt. I still had bundles of designer clothes courtesy of Alice Cullen, the one good thing the Cullen's had done for me.
Not that that matters anymore, considering Bella is dead.
Feeling the emptiness of the room beginning to swallow me, I hurried out. Although I had dropped out of school, I still liked to get ready for the day. It kept me from slipping completely into the darkness.
"Happy birthday Eva." Charlie greeted me with a plate of my favorite breakfast foods- loads of crispy bacon, french toast, hash browns, and eggs that were more cheese than egg.
"Thanks dad," I sat at the table, across from his coffee. "This looks really good. You didn't need to go through all this trouble."
"It's your birthday, Eves," Charlie waved off my comment, and sat down at the table. "Here."
He slid a wrapped box my way, and took a drink of his coffee. I moved my plate aside and unwrapped the box. It contained a high quality camera, and a new high end makeup palette. Both things I had mentioned wanting, back before everything went to shit.
"Dad," My voice caught in my throat. "Thank you."
"It's from me and your mother." Charlie said in a gruff voice.
I nodded, and started my breakfast. Charlie drank the rest of his coffee, and gave me an apologetic look.
"I tried to get today off, but there's a missing persons case-" Charlie started, but I interrupted.
"Dad, it's fine. I'll probably head to La Push, get some nice scenery pictures." I held out the camera as proof.
"Sounds good." He gave me a rare hug, and headed out the door. The click of the lock sliding shut resounded throughout the house, reminding me that I was alone.
Thoughts of Bella threatened to cloud my mind, and I quickly finished my breakfast. Putting my plate in the dishwasher, I took the camera to the couch and spent the next hour charging it and reading through the manual. Once it was fully charged and I had the basics figured out, I carefully set it in my bag and headed out to the truck that Bella and I had once shared.
I so desperately wanted a new vehicle, but there was absolutely no way I could afford it, and I know Charlie can't either. Bella hadn't died in the car, but she had driven it to the airport that lead her to Phoenix, which lead her to the ballet studio which lead her to her death-
Slamming my hand against the steering wheel, I quickly turned the car on and whipped out of the driveway, the engine roaring. I drove to La Push like I was able to outrun my thoughts, which sadly, I knew I couldn't. But I could try.
On the small highway that takes to either La Push or Seattle, depending on where you turned, I pushed the ancient truck to go nearly seventy. It was only fifty five, but it didn't matter to me. I slowed after a few minutes, partly because the turn was coming and partly because I was worried about blowing the motor. And then it would be one less connection I had to Bella.
Flipping on the flashers, I swung the vehicle to the side of the road, nearly ruining the brakes with my abrupt stop I'm sure. The hole in my chest burned fiercely and the tears pricking my eyes came out in waves, leaving me clutching the steering wheel and crying hard. It felt like my throat was closed and my chest was being hit by a brick, over and over again.
Bella should have been here to turn eighteen with me.
I don't know how long I stayed like that, lost in sadness, but it was a knock on the window that startled me into existence once more. I looked out the window to see a kind looking woman with three angry scars maring her otherwise perfect face. She must be Emily Young. I vaguely recalled the bear accident that marred her features. Knowing I must look like the broken mess I felt, I wiped a sleeve across my face and manually rolled down the window of the ancient truck.
"Sweetheart, are you alright? Are you hurt?" The woman said in alarm, looking at my tear sodden face in horror.
"I'm fine." My voice sounded pathetic, even to me. Although I knew it wasn't my fault, I felt so embarrassed by it. I was so used to being the strong twin that I didn't know how to cope with this much sadness.
"My name is Emily," She responded, looking concerned still. "Please, can I invite you to my house? I can drive."
"I can't impose on you like that," I cleared my throat, trying to sound more human. "I was on my way to the cliffs, I wanted to take some pictures of the scenery."
"Then, would you mind if I came with?" Emily pressed. "I really would hate to leave you alone after seeing you like this."
"I wouldn't want to ruin your plans,' I said, biting my lip. The thought of having company made today sound bearable though. "But if you haven't got anything going on.."
Emily gave me a wide smile. "I'm free for the day. Would you mind if I ride with you?"
"Not at all," I shook my head. "What about your car?"
"My fiance will take care of it," Emily waved her hand. "Let me grab my purse and I'll be right in."
I nodded, and she walked away. The reality of inviting a stranger to spend the day with me hit me rather suddenly, but I found I wasn't nearly as worried as I should be. Perhaps that should worry me. But Emily seemed so nice and kind that I didn't think she would do me any harm. I normally had a good danger receptor, unlike Bella..
Tears pricked my eyes again, and I bowed my head, wrapping my arms around my chest and digging my nails into my sides. I willed myself to calm down, and after a few moments I was able to wipe my eyes and gather myself.
The passenger door opened and Emily hoisted herself into the car. She looked to be a bit shorter than me, so getting in the car proved to be a bit difficult for her. Emily gave a small laugh as she shut the door.
"I normally have my fiance lift me into his truck, and I drive a bug myself." Emily explained.
"My sister and I used to play the slugbug game." The words slipped out of my mouth as the memory came to the front of my mind, carving another bit into my chest. I blinked hard, preventing any tears from coming.
"Oh yeah, my boys love using my car for that." Emily laughed again, buckling herself.
"You have kids?" In my opinion, she looked far too young to have any kids that would have the mental capacity to play that game.
"No, not yet," Emily chuckled. "My fiance and I are very close to our group of friends, they're family to us."
"Oh." I nodded. I hadn't ever had that type of friend group, or friend in general. I just don't usually click with people like a normal person.
"I just realized I didn't ask for your name." Emily sighed. "How rude of me."
"Evangeline," I told her. "I should have probably told you before you got in the car."
"That's such a pretty name." Emily gushed, clasping her hands together. "Oh, if you turn here there's a shortcut to the cliffs."
I turned into the dirt road, which lead up to the first cliff of La Push. Parking as far off to the side as possible, I grabbed my bag and got out of the car. Emily walked around and pointed out some scenery, and some areas to take pictures off the cliff from.
Emily turned out to be a near expert of the La Push woods, and together we spent nearly three hours walking around and taking photos. Contrary to what I had experienced in the car, she wasn't much of a talker, the more comfortable she got with me the more she didn't rush to fill the empty spaces. I was thankful for that, as I didn't want a lot of talking today. I wanted to center myself in nature.
She told me about her fiance Sam, and their friends Jared and Paul. They all seemed like cool people, the type of friends I would choose to keep if I had a clique. Sam, the one with all the solutions. Jared, the funny yet mysterious yet reserved guy. Paul, the classic playboy with a secret heart of gold. Emily, the caring and supportive best friend everyone wished to have.
Meeting Emily certainly took my mind off of things, for at least a while. It was when the camera battery died and Emily had been quiet for awhile that my thoughts came back to rip through my chest, and I had to squeeze a rock in my hand so hard that I ended up with a nasty gash dripping blood. Thankfully, Emily didn't seem to notice, and I cleaned it up with some tissues I had in my bag.
"Ready to head back?" I asked Emily, who was sat on a rock staring at the trees. I seemed to startle her, and couldn't help but chuckle.
"Sounds good," She stood up. "How would you like to have dinner at my house before you head home?"
As hungry as I was, I had to refuse her offer. I had Charlie to have dinner with for my birthday.
"Another time, then." Emily patted my arm.
We walked to the car in silence, and thoughts of Bella kept swirling through my head. I could hear her now, complaining about the bugs and all the walking, tripping over her own two feet. I would crack jokes at her expense, she'd through me a witty comeback, and we'd go back and forth until we would have to stop and catch our breath from laughing.
"It's my birthday today." I blurted out before I could stop myself. Seeing the bright look on Emily's face, I hurriedly continued. "It's also my sisters birthday, but she died a couple of months ago."
"Oh," Emily's face looked shocked, her tone concerned. "Isabella Swan?"
"Bella," I corrected automatically, feeling the fiery burn whip behind my eyes. "The one and only."
"I'm so sorry." Emily placed a warm hand on my shoulder. I could easily feel her body heat through the thin sweater. "I didn't realize you were related."
"We don't look- didn't, look much like each other." I responded with. It was true, I had shocking blue eyes, lighter colored hair, different body proportions than Bella. If you looked close enough, you could see the same eyebrow arch, same sharp jawline, same lips, same pale skin.
"My fiance told me about what happened to her," Emily's eyes took on a faraway look, and she shook her head. "No wonder you were so upset earlier."
I nodded. I wanted to take the words back, now that I had said them. I didn't want to focus on my loss, every sympathetic look would be just another carve in my chest. Thankfully, Emily seemed to sense I didn't want to talk, and we continued in silence to the car.
"Did your fiance get your car?" I asked, breaking the silence as we settled back into the truck.
"Oh yeah, hours ago," Emily waved her hand. "I'll give you directions to my house."
Emily didn't live very far from the cliffs, it was barely a fifteen minute drive. I recognized Jacob Black's house as I drove, wincing when I thought of how upset he was at the funeral. How he didn't let go of Billy's wheelchair even for a second, how Billy looked on with a grim face and knowing eyes.. The Cullen's didn't attend her funeral.
"It's right down this drive." Emily pointed towards a dirt road.
It lead to a quaint little house with potted flowers surrounding the wrap around porch. As the ancient truck made its loud entrance; a tall, muscular man came out of the house, his posture tense and dark eyes glinting. He visibly relaxed when he saw Emily, but stiffened at the sight of me.
"Em." The word came from his mouth as though he were referring to a God. He immediately wrapped Emily in his arms, giving her loving kisses down the scars on her face.
I felt as though I were intruding on an intimate moment, and looked away.
"Evangeline, this is Sam," Emily smiled from underneath Sam's arm. "Sam, this is Evangeline Swan."
I could tell the exact moment he registered who I was; for his face shifted into the sympathetic, "I'm so sorry for Bella" mask everyone got when they found out about her. It made me want to shove a blade through my wrist.
"It was nice meeting you both," I rushed out before he could say anything. "I have to get going."
Since I had not gotten out of the car, I quickly shifted the old truck in reverse and took off. I didn't bother looking in my rearview mirror, I didn't want to see the reaction either of them may have had towards my sudden disappearance.
I wanted more than anything to drive away from myself.
hey guys! hope this chapter was intriguing enough for yall to stick around for the next and leave a review on this one. as usual, my oc will be imprinted on. cant get enough of my wolf bois. I have not yet decided on who though.
lemme know what you think so far! any thoughts ya got! any suggestions! thanks for reading.
-TheFlyingGraysons