Hello everyone! Here's the next chapter. The words in italics is a quote from Twilight.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Twilight saga or any quotes from it.
There in my hands was a metal box and an envelope. Putting the envelope aside I tried the latch on the metal box. Opening it carefully I looked inside. What I saw took my breath away and I uttered a small "gasp" in surprise. The pictures I had taken and that I had found missing were stacked in a neat pile in the left side of the box. Gently picking them up I looked through the stack to see if all were there. My breathing became erratic because even though Edward "wince" in this picture had eyes of steel, he was more beautiful than I could of remembered. I knew that he was beautiful, but my memory had not done him justice. I probably sat staring at him for a long while because at that moment my stomach rumbled. Signing softly to myself I got up and went downstairs to grab something to eat. Passing my digital clock I glanced at the time. 12:32 it read and I looked at the clock again in surprise. It was that late already? Dang! I must have been really out of it. Deciding to look at the rest of the items I had found after eating, I walked myself to the fridge. Opening it up I searched for something edible. Seeing nothing I turned to the pantry which I knew had some pop tarts. Strawberry pop tarts were my favorite. Grabbing the pop tarts and a glass of milk I headed to the kitchen table to eat. Eating faster than normal I eagerly threw my trash away and my glass was put in the sink. Deciding to was it later I anxiously walked up the stairs to my bedroom to look at the rest of the items.
Sitting on my bed I grabbed the box and trifled through the rest of the box. Wedged deeply I found a little rectangular velvet box. A jewelry box. Why in the world is there a jewelry box in here? Well it can't hurt to see what's inside it. Opening it up I looked inside. There nestled snugly in black velvet was a silver necklace. What was so remarkable about the necklace was the skinny silver swan pendent hanging on a delicate silver chain. In between the neck and the body of the swan was a beautiful topaz stone that looked exactly like the Cullen's eyes, Edward's "wince" eyes. I touched the chain softly and felt my eyes become blurry from my tears. Had this been a present from Edward? Was he going to give it to me for my birthday, but decided not to when I told him no presents? The pain in my chest became overbearing at my thoughts. I couldn't stop thinking about him and this gift. The necklace was so beautiful and looked really expensive making me believe my guess had been right. Edward had gotten me something. Why would he get me something so perfect and beautiful if he had no feelings for me? I was so confused. Had my assumptions of Edward "wince" lying to me during our whole relationship been wrong?
Suddenly my mind showed me a memory of Edward and me in the schools cafeteria so long ago. Something he said I remembered. It was when we were talking about why one of us loved the other one more. He said that he loved me more because he could leave me. His voice floated in my mind, "if leaving is the right thing to do, then I'll hurt myself to keep from hurting you, to keep you safe." Why couldn't I've remembered that earlier? So he left to protect me? Well, I guess he did so in vain because he hurt me really bad. Wait a minute. That means Edward still loves me. My chest warmed at the thought. I had a few moments of bliss before another emotion overtook the joy. He fucking lied about not loving me to protect me and keep me safe! Well look how that turned out. I bet he is out there somewhere in pain thinking I'm better off without him. That noble jackass! He harmed both of us and wasted a lot of time filled with pain and loss which helped neither of us. The next time I see him I'm going to kick his ass! I had already decided that I as going to see him again. How do I find him? Is he with his family? I thought about that a moment and decided to answer a no to that. I don't think he would be with them and all their depressing thoughts. Especially Alice's and Esme's. I could just picture Alice crying tearlessly onto Jasper's shoulder and Esme doing the same to Carlisle. Alice was my best friend. I bet she was not too happy with Edward right now. Plus Esme had always cared about me like a mother would a daughter. Both of them would have to be really upset which would upset everyone else too. The only one who probably did not care that they'd left would be Rosalie. She had always hated me and I had never knew why. Edward never would tell me. Yes! I can think his name without wincing! The pain had dulled some in my chest. Knowing Edward still loved me had made it heal up some. It still hurt a little because of the absence of him though. So Edward is by himself somewhere alone. Where would he go? I had no idea how to find him or the rest of the Cullen's. I thought a minute about what to do when I suddenly remembered that Alice had visions. Why hadn't she seen me in pain? Knowing Edward he probably told her not to look for me. He did say that it would be like he never existed. Yeah that was better said then done. My chest filled with pain for a minute after that thought.
Maybe if I did something drastic then she would have a vision of me without meaning to. It was perfect. Shit. What do I do that's dangerous in Forks. The danger had left in September, I thought sardonically. Harming myself was out since I hated the smell of blood and the pain that went with it. Motorcycles were out because well I don't have any. Plus they contradicted my no blood thing. Maybe I could jump off something. What is there to jump off of? Besides wouldn't Alice think I was suicidal if she saw me doing something like that? Oh well. If it gets her attention then I don't mind. I was feeling very desperate. Anything to have Edward and the rest of the Cullen's back. Damn, I even missed Rosalie. Her glares and shit freaked me out, but I realized that she was only trying to protect her family. I didn't blame Jasper for trying to kill me or for Edward's departure. Thinking of them leaving made my chest ache. It was Jaspers instinct to kill me and he couldn't always control it. His emotions plus everyone else's didn't help. Maybe he was stronger than they thought. I mean all of them were having bloodlust and put that plus his own and that equals Bella getting hurt and him having bloodlust overload. No wonder he attacked me. Getting back to ways of how to get Alice's attention, I thought about place's near forks. Mainly because I knew of nowhere to go to jump off something that was in Forks. Well, La Push is beside Forks. What could I jump off of in La Push? My brain started thinking back to a couple of days ago.
I remember Charlie telling me about how crazy some of the natives were and how they jumped off of cliffs that were really high. That is so perfect. Why hadn't I thought of that sooner? It could've saved me a lot of time and brain power. Plus I know where the cliffs are. I had seen them when I was younger and when I had been forced to go fishing with Charlie. Now I know why I hadn't remembered about the cliffs. I usually blocked out painful memories. I think I can find them if I look hard enough. Getting up the swan necklace fell off my lap. I picked it up and put the necklace around my neck. I needed it to help me get through this. I was desperately afraid of heights. Maybe I should of thought of that earlier before I made this reckless plan, I thought grimly. No, I made the decision and I'm going through with it. Turning to my closet I grabbed something to wear. A pair of old jeans and a warm light sweater that was the color of the treetops was what I grabbed and put on. Carefully tying the laces of my shoes I stood up and went downstairs.
I was about to go out the door until I saw Charlie's hat. I had forgotten about Charlie. I glanced at the clock and it read 3:01. He wouldn't be home until six and I didn't want him to worry if I wasn't here when he got home. I decided to write him a note. I found a piece of paper and pen and wrote a simple note for Charlie.
Dear Charlie,
I went for a ride. I'll be home soon.
Bella
Putting it on the fridge I opened the door. Damn. Its pouring outside. I grabbed the nearest jacket and I was on my way.
I headed to my truck and got in. shutting the door I cranked up the engine. With the familiar roar of my truck I backed up. Driving carefully I pulled out of my driveway. My thoughts drifted off at the sound of the rain pattering against my windshield. It had a calming affect on me. What if I couldn't find the cliffs? What if Alice wont see me? What if she does? Will Edward come with her to check up on me? What would I say to Edward? My thoughts swirled out in different directions trying to produce answers I did not have. My mind was a jumbled mess. I had to focus. One step at a time. I just need to focus on getting to the cliffs. After that I'll figure out where I'll jump off at.
In no time I had found the cliffs. It wasn't that hard. My memory must be better than I thought. Parking my truck near the side of the road I opened my door and got into the rain. Maybe jumping off a cliff when it was raining was not a good idea. When was it not raining? I couldn't afford to waste anymore time. My heart could not take much more of the absence of Edward. My chest throbbed a little in response to my erratic thoughts. Walking awhile to get to the cliffs took little time. Before I knew it I was at the cliffs.
I stepped carefully onto the ledge of one of the highest cliffs. Why was this a good idea I thought nervously? Think of Edward, I thought. Yes, this would be worth it if I could see Edward again. With that thought I noiselessly jumped off the ledge.