Disclaimer: These characters are the intellectual property of Stephenie Meyer. No profit is being made from this story. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter Two
As soon as we got home, I got to work on the fish tank. It was rectangular, and about a foot and a half wide. After much deliberation I decided to place it by the large window on the south wall of the family room, a spot where it could be easily seen and where I wouldn't forget to feed them. The cheeriness of the aquarium would also offset the dark wooden walls and dark carpet.
Having inherited Charlie's clumsiness, I had to be careful not to trip with the fish tank – it was heavy and made of glass, and I didn't want to end up in the emergency room. With the help of Renée, I filled it with the colored pebbles and seaweed from the pet store and cold water, as directed, and plopped the three fish in from their little water-filled plastic baggies. They seemed to adjust fairly well, but the tank did look a little plain; I made a mental note to get some aquarium decorations from the pet store next time we were out.
"Well, what are you going to name them?" asked Renee after we were all finished. I had thought about this; I decided on Lizzy, Jane, and Kitty, after three of the Bennet daughters in my favorite novel, Pride and Prejudice. Of course, this was assuming they were all girls, although honestly, I couldn't tell the difference. That settled, I went upstairs while Renee fixed a late lunch – nothing too creative, she promised.
I was in the bathroom, putting iodine and a Band-Aid on my finger (I didn't think a hamster from a pet store would be infected with disease, but better safe than sorry), when she called me back down. "Bella! Come open your present from Charlie!"
Charlie's gift was long and thin, wrapped in festive paper and enclosed in a larger cardboard box. I carefully unwrapped it; it was a sterling silver necklace and matching charm bracelet with miniature stars and moons. I sighed in relief; it seemed that Charlie had finally realized that I was too old to play with dolls. No more teddy bears and tea sets, I supposed – or at least, I hoped. Maybe this meant that he had finally accepted the fact that I was growing up.
There was a card, too, and I opened it.
Dear Bella, it read, Happy fourteenth birthday. I hope you and Renee are both getting along well. I'll see you next summer. Don't grow up too fast. Love, Dad.
I called and thanked him profusely, to a gruff "Don't mention it" – but I could tell he was pleased.
Renee and I ate sandwiches (and birthday cake – I finally gave in) outside under the afternoon shade of the eucalyptus tree. We talked briefly about Charlie, and Renee told me how her kindergarten class was doing – who had wet their pants, the latest crayon masterpiece. After that I excused myself, and went to attend to my new companions.
I stared into the fish tank thoughtfully. Lizzy and Jane were swimming around somewhat aimlessly, and Kitty, the one with the white patch on her face, was hiding behind a piece of seaweed. I shook some fish flakes into the water and watched as they swallowed with their tiny toothless mouths.
"I wish I knew what you were thinking," I said. "Do you know that you're in a little tiny tank, and not in a pond outdoors? Do you feel trapped and alone?" I immediately thought of Forks and realized that I knew how they might feel. "Can you even hear me?" I said, louder.
Obviously, the exercise was pointless. They swam on, totally oblivious to me and my questions about life and human (or fishy) existence.
I went to my room and read from my Compilation of the Works of Jane Austen for a few hours, and then changed into my holey pajamas and went to bed.
A/N: Once again, please review!! I'm planning on writing one more chapter (which will hopefully be a little more climactic), and it should be out this week or next.
