Again, I own no rights whatsoever, Twilight is all Stephenie Meyer's wonderful creation. I just toy around a little with her amazing characters. I mean, who wouldn't? ;)
So here's chapter two, hope you like it!
I tremble, they're gonna eat me alive! If I stumble, they're gonna eat me alive! Can you hear my heart beating like a hammer? Help, I'm alive! *Metric- help I'm Alive*
Chapter 2:
The drive back to Forks wasn't nearly long enough. I almost thought I'd keep going, mostly so that I wouldn't have to talk to anyone. My headache was still there, worse than ever, and I felt tired after the days events. I drove straight to Charlies.
When I climbed out of the truck he came out to help med carry my things inside, and once inside he gave me an awkward hug.
"You hungry, Bells? I've got some of your casserole in the fridge or I could make you some eggs?" That made me smile. Charlie was the worst cook I'd ever met, the only thing he could make himself was, you guessed it, eggs -fried. I usually came here and cooked for him once a week and filled up his freezer, I can be a good daughter if I want to. It also reminded me that I was kind of hungry. "Thanks dad, I'll have som casserole."
I heated the leftovers and served us both, I also gave Charlie a beer while I just settled for a glass of water. "So, um, you want to talk about it?" he asked, and I could tell it made him quite a bit uncomfortable. "Not really, dad, but thanks", I mumbled through a mouthful of food. I didn't even want to think about it, much less talk.
"Um, ok... How long are you ging to stay here? Not that I'm not happy to have my girl home, I just, you know..." He still looked uncomfortable, but also a bit curious.
"Jake called you, didn't he? What did he tell you?" That bitter edge in my voice was back, I didn't like it.
"Well, he just said you two were separating for a while... And he also said for me to tell you that he really wants the two of you to talk this through." He looked seriously embarrased by now. He didn't like beeing the messenger, especially in a matter this personal.
"Well, we're not separating for a while, we're separating for, like, forever! And if he calls again you can tell him that we're not gonna talk!" I suddenly lost my appetite.
"Bella, you have to talk sometime. Whatever happened you can work it out, honey." That earned him a snort. "No, dad, we can't, because he cheated on me, ok? Happy now?"
"Oh..." He was totally unprepared for that one, I could tell. Whatever he thought this was about, that wasn't it.
We didn't discuss the matter more that evening. I went upstairs to my old room and unpacked. I spent the rest of the night lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling and trying to figure out my next move. It was past midnight when I finally went to sleep, I dreamt of the less than inviting scene I'd walked in on after a long day at work.
When I woke up I didn't feel rested, and the headache was even worse. I thought about staying in bed all day since I wasn't going in for work anyway, but my plans were ruined when my cell chimed happily from my purse. It was Angela, another High School friend, who had stayed in Seattle after college. She was a deaconess at some small church in the outskirts of Seattle and her husband was a realter who also owned a couple of apartment complexes inside Seattle. Ang and I had been quite close in High School and gotten even closer in our college years. Though we didn't talk very often anymore, she was still one of the best friends I'd ever had.
I thought about letting it ring, but I got an idea and thought maybe she could help me figure things out.
"Hey, Ang! How're you?" I tried to sound perky and happy, I'm not sure she bought it.
"Hey, Bella! I'm just great, thank you? How are you?" I thought about saying someting that would have been cencored, then thought better of it and simply said, "Well, I've been better. What can I do for you?" "Can't a girl just call a friend without an agenda?" she laughed, but continued,"Well I was hoping you could help us out a little..."
"Um hum, and in what way can I help you out, if I may ask?" I was big on sarcasm today, apparently.
"Well, a friend of Ben's just bought a restaurant downtown and he needs personell ASAP, I thought maybe you know someone willing to work?"
My world stopped spinning all off a sudden! I had been planning to ask if Ben had any apartments vacant, I had thought I could work out the job issue in place. I didn't even hesitate, "I can do it! I can start right away, I'll just call Steph and tell her to give my shifts to Bree!"
Angela was quiet for a while before answering hesitantly, "Ok, but, um, what about Jake?" I'm not very good at the whole thinking before speaking thing, so naturally, I just blurted out the first thing that popped into my head "Oh, I bet Jess can take real good care about him", in the same tone of voice I imagine a maffia boss taking on when he tells his cronies to wack someone.
Angela was quiet for so long I almost thought she'd hung up on me. Just before I pressed the button to end the call, she said, "I guess I don't want to know what that was about".
"No, I don't imagine you do", I said, "I'm sorry, Ang, I'm a bit edgy today. I didn't mean to sound so crude." She just laughed.
"Ok, so maybe you can come to Seattle for a interview tonight?" She asked. "You can stay at our place and we can catch up a little".
"Yeah, absolutely! So, where am I going and who am I meeting?"
"You're going to The Metropolitan, you know, on 2nd avenue? And you're meeting a guy named Emmet Cullen. His fahter owns The Met and he and his brothers will be opening their restaurant on 5th in a month. You'll be training at The Met and helping out with a few details for the Grand opening. I can text you the time when I've talked to Em, ok?"
"Yeah, sounds great, thanks Ang! Really!" And we hung up.
Ok, so now I really had a plan! And it felt good. Plus, all of this kept my mind off Jake, and that was a huge bonus.
I ate som cereal and took a long, hot shower, then I called Steph. I can't say she was happy, but she accepted and told me I could come by and pick up my check when I was off to Seattle. I bet Bree was going to be a lot happier than Steph. Bree was a good girl, a bit slow but she'd pick it up now that she was going to work full time. She was a quick learner. Though I guess it really wasn't my problem anymore. Huh!
I decided to wear a pair of black slim jeans and a red silk blouse, not that I had that many options, and put on my only pair of pumps. Black, simple, ordinary, but classy. I wore my hair loose and put on some mascara, I never really used that much makeup. Then I called Charlie and told him I'd be gone for the night, maybe longer, and packed a bag with all I needed for a copuple of days in the city.
When I was on my way out the phone in the kitchen rang. Since I wasn't in any hurry I decided to answer it. I should't have, it was Jake...
"Where are you going? Why'd you quit your job?" He sounded scared, serves him right.
"None of your business, Jake!" I answered through clenched teeth. "And I thought I told you to leave Charlie out of this!"
"Bella... Bells, please, I really want us to solve this. I love you, you can't just turn your back on us." Now he just sounded desperate. Well, it was hardly my doing.
"You're the one who turned your back on us, Jake, and for future reference, stay the hell away from me!" I was just about to hang up when I thought of something else to say, if only just to give him a little scare, "If you try to gain sympathy from Charlie you're screwed. I told him everything. And if I were you, I'd stay well away from him from now on." Then I hung up, took my bag and headed for the diner.
When I walked in the diner Mike sat at the bar looking less than happy. "Hey, Bells, what's up?" He said. I could tell he'd been drinking. I guess they told him then.
"Hi, Mikey, Nothin' much, how are you?" I asked, I wasn't going to bring Jess up if he didn't. "I've been better Bells, my dad just had a heartattack". And then he started crying! Dammit, poor guy! So, nobody had told him then... "I'm sorry, Mike, how is he, is he gonna be ok?" "Yeah, they say he'll be fine... But when I came home and told Jess about it, she told me she wanted to move out, break up, you know... Nice support huh? I guess people were right about her after all, she is a selfish bitch..." Don't I know it? "I really am sorry Mike! Look, I'm in a bit of hurry here, you think you'll be all right?" I really didn't want to discuss Jess with him, especially not right now. "Yeah, yeah, I'll be fine.. Hey, Bells! You wanna go out some time?" Oh, crap! "Oh, um... I don't know?" I really didn't want to, not ever. "Ok, yeah, take care ok? You know, Jake's not good enough for you, I'll be waiting for your call!" O.M.G! Like I'd ever call him? Oh, hell no!
Steph just laughed at me when I came in to her office behind the counter. "So, I guess he's back on Bellatrack after Jess, huh?" She loved to tease me about Mike, who'd had a huge crush on me back in school. "Shut up will ya? You know I never even dated that guy!"
"Yeah, It's still fun to tease you though. Here's your check, want to tell me what's going on?"
"Ha ha, really funny! Thanks, and no I really don't.. Let's just say I need a change, ok?"
"Yeah, whatever! So... You're not mad I told Jake you'd quit then? I mean, he called and asked for you and I didn't know what else to tell him..." She looked a bit nervous. I'd kind of guessed he'd heard it from her already. "Nah, it's cool, he'd have noticed soon anyway... "
"Yeah, I guess... We're gonna miss you though, all of us. You're one of the best you know." I looked here in the eyes, "Thanks, Steph. I won't be that far away though, you can always come visit." She gave me a brilliant smile and made a shooing motion toward the door. "Oh, I will! Good luck, honey! I'll see you around".
We hugged, then I went out to the truck and started the drive towards my new life.
A/N Again, I apologize for possible errors in grammatics and spelling. I should probably start looking for a Beta... You up for it? Let me know *wink, wink*
Anyway, I hope you liked it and that you will keep reading. I'm gonna try to post a chapter a week but I wont make any promises;) Next is almost done though, and I will post it within a week. Still a bit slow, but I promise more action further in if you stay tuned *wink*
Don't forget to review!
Until next time, XOXO