So, here's the next chapter!!!
Thanks to PouncerPrincess, Ari11990, MiZz bUdDy and Ada Lovelace for reviewing!!!!
Leah picked up her mobile and dialled the number of her second cousin, Anita.
Leah and Anita had met at a family reunion a few years ago and from what Leah remembered, Anita had been a quiet but kindly lady. Unfortunately, Leah had been bitter and unresponsive at that particular reunion but since then Anita's husband had left, Leah hoped that now Anita might understand what she had been going through.
"Hello?" said Anita's quiet voice.
"Hi, I don't know if you remember me, I'm Leah Clearwater. We met at a reunion a few years ago and I'm afraid I was a bit grumpy on that day" she began nervously.
"Oh yes, Leah, I think I remember you, so what can I do for you?" Anita asked. Leah could tell that Anita was confused. She was about to just hang up and forget about running away, but then she thought of Jacob, of that strong face and warm eyes. Of his friendly smile and his way of talking. Then she thought of how it would feel if she allowed herself to get closer to Jacob, and then how it would feel if he threw her love back in her face like Sam had. She thought of how it would destroy her properly this time- and she made her decision.
"I need a place to stay and I know you live far away- I just need to get away from everything" Leah said, holding back tears.
"Well, I don't really know Leah, how long were you planning to stay for?" Anita asked curiously.
"Oh, just a few days until I can get booked into a hotel or something and I wouldn't bother you at all, I just need somewhere to stay for a few nights and then you won't have to see me again" Leah persuaded.
Anita thought about this for a moment, she had been so lonely since her husband had left and she thought it might almost be nice to have a bit of company.
"I'll let you stay on one condition" Anita said
"Yes, I'll do anything" Leah agreed.
"Well, I don't want you staying in my house if you're on the run from the police or something, so I want to know the real reason you want to stay with me."
Leah took a deep breath and started to tell her story from when she met Sam and finished with the explanation of why she needed to go. She left out all the parts about werewolves as she didn't think that Anita would want a werewolf living with her.
Anita was moved by Leah's story and agreed to let her stay.
"Thanks so much, Anita" Leah said. The hardest part was over. All she had to do now was sneak out of the house without anyone noticing.
She just about made it to the front door when Seth appeared at the bottom of the stairs.
"Where are you going Leah?" Seth asked.
Leah sighed irritably.
"Don't worry about me" she said, avoiding the question.
"You're going to stay with Anita aren't you?" Seth said. It wasn't a question, it was a statement.
"How did you know?" Leah asked, surprised.
"I heard your phone conversation and I know you're leaving because of Jacob, but it doesn't have to be that way, Leah. You and Jacob would be great together and he wouldn't imprint on anyone else, you know he wouldn't" Seth begged, pleading with her not to go.
"How do you know he won't imprint? And anyway, he doesn't even like me so I'm not even going to risk it."
"But Leah, you don't even stand a chance of happiness if you take it away from yourself like this" Seth argued, his eyes large with sadness.
" I'm going, right now and you must promise never to tell anyone, especially not Jacob" Leah said fiercely. Seth knew better than to cross Leah when she was like this.
"Ok, I promise" he said, reluctantly.
"Good" Leah said and with that she walked out of the door.
Seth ran to the door, pulled it open and rushed down the driveway until he got to Leah.
"Bye!" he called and gave her a hug. "We're all going to miss you, especially Jacob" Seth said and then he ran back into the house again.
"Bye!" Leah called, her voice thick with tears.
She hobbled to the train station, weighed down with baggage. It was going to hurt to have to leave but it had to be done, she thought to herself as she stepped onto the train. She was determined that her heart wouldn't be broken again and although it was painful to have to do this, she was saving herself a lot more pain if she had stayed and had to watch Jacob fall in love with someone else.
Leah Clearwater was moving on.
What did you think of it? Please review!!! The next chapter will be better than this one I think, but I still want to know what you thought of this one!!! I think there will be roughly 16 or 17 chapters of this story so keep R&Ring!
