So a few questions to be addressed before we start…

1) Did the flashback really happen or was it just in her mind?

Yes, it really happened. The line about it being in her head was just her remembering what happened to her instead of her facing it again. :/ lol.

2) Who's human, who isn't?

Everyone is human in this story. Sorry, no vampires.

3) Who was the woman in the flashback?

You will find out. J

4) Who are Bella and Emmett living with?

Again, you'll find out… this chapter I believe.

Echoes of Silence

Chapter 2: Invitation

Edward

I paced incessantly in my room, trying to come up with an explanation for why the new girl at school, Isabella, wouldn't get out of my mind. There was something about her, so fragile and beautiful and heartbreaking to look at. Almost as if she were a porcelain doll that had been smudged with dirt and battered too much; its simple innocent beauty haunting you with sadness. Isabella was broken. That much I knew for sure. What had broken her was still a mystery. I growled in annoyance. Why did I care? Why was this eating me up inside? Why did I, Edward Cullen, the stoic iceman, as my sister so fondly called me, care about this new girl who I had only seen for an hour today? I growled, turning to my stereo and turning it on. The classical music filled the room and instantly my nerves were soothed. I walked to my bed, laid down and sighed, trying to just forget.

"Edward?" I flinched from the sound, turning toward my pillow. "Edward dinner is ready." I blinked, my eyes adjusting to the dim lights. I looked up to see my mom at my door, smiling gently at me. "Are you going to join us?" I nodded and sat up, running a hand through my hair and stretching.

"Be right down." Esme nodded and slipped downstairs. I looked out my large window, toward the backyard. The sky was a hazy gray, and Ia could see the sun struggling to break through the clouds as it descended for the night. I bid luck to the sun on its battle against the ever grey clouds of Forks, and slipped down stairs for dinner. Mom, dad and Alice were all sitting around the table when I entered. I took my seat across from Alice and mom handed me a plate.

"So, how was school?" she asked smiling. Alice beamed.

"There are two new kids." She said grinning. Mom grinned back and the excitement in the room was tangible.

"Oh were they nice?" Alice nodded, her smile faltering.

"Well, Emmett was. Isabella seemed a bit, distant?" She looked up at me and I nodded in confirmation. Isabella had been completely vacant.

"How do you mean dear?" I glanced up to see concern in my mother's eyes. It was rare you found someone immune to Alice's cheer. In fact, I had thought it was impossible until Isabella came to town.

"She's off in her mind, completely retreated and closed off." I explained. Mom frowned and dad nodded, calculating.

"Though Jasper told me that Emmett said that calling her Bella usually got more of a response from her." Alice perked up. I nodded, grateful for that small amount of information.

"What has she said to you?" I looked up at dad.

"I'm her lab partner in bio and she hasn't said one word to me." I glance up at Alice who nodded.

"She's in two of my classes and not a word. I don't even think she speaks to Emmett, though he's pretty tight lipped about her." Alice frowned. It was unusual to see my sister so down. She was always so perky, so full of life, but I could tell this was really eating at her. My parents noticed it too.

"Why don't you invite them and their parents to dinner Friday night?" Mom suggested. Alice's eyes lit up.

"Mom that's perfect! Why didn't I think of it before!" she cried excitedly. Mom nodded.

"Sometimes all people need is some friendly smiles and a home cooked meal." I wished it were that simple, but I had a feeling, it wouldn't be.

Bella

"You killed your parents. It was your fault they died. They couldn't stand you anymore." The fierce whispers circled me, encasing me in its venom. "You might as well be dead, you now good piece of shit." They circled closer, closer and I began to panic. I opened my mouth to scream but found I had no voice. The shrill laugh pierced the darkness like a thousand knives. "Scream for me Bella."

I shot out of bed, dripping in sweat. I sucked in a deep breath, my lungs burning as if I had just been running. I saw Emmett laying next to me, still out cold. I sighed, resting a hand against my forehead. I looked over at Emmett's sleeping form and felt tears well up in me. He was the best brother anyone could ask for. He had saved me, delivered me home, but for what in return? He couldn't socialize with others, couldn't be a normal teenager. I felt so guilty for holding him back, yet couldn't bring myself to let him leave me. I needed him, and as selfish as it sounded, I couldn't let go.

I turned in bed and slipped out of it, my feet landing gently on the hard wood floor. I glanced over at Emmett who had fallen asleep on my sofa to see he was still deeply asleep. I tiptoed to the bathroom, shutting the door gently. I splashed my face quickly with water and sighed. I knew it had to be early hours of the morning, sometime between three and five. I knew I wouldn't sleep anymore so instead I grabbed my notebook and tiptoed past Emmett to my balcony. I sat up, perched on the ledge and sighed, leaning my head back and closing my eyes.

When our parents had died, they had left Emmett and I everything. My father had been a judge for the state of Washington and my mother had been a professor at the local university. Both were well paid jobs and growing up had been a luxury. When they died, they willed everything to us.

When we were separated, Emmett got sent to a wealthy family in Tennessee. They were beyond rich and took to Emmett quickly. The couple had been older, old enough to be Emmett's grandparents and when he was twelve, his adopted father died. Shortly after he turned 18, his adopted mother died from cancer, and left him the beneficiary of her will.

So money was never really an issue for us. We didn't spend it profusely, but in moderation. We had moved into our parent's home that they had left for us, leaving us in a well secluded mansion, all by ourselves.

I sat outside thinking until I saw the faint hint of the sun, glowing behind the clouds, it's fresh pink rays slipping through small seams of the endless grey. I could hear movement inside and looked up to see Emmett stumble outside.

"Hey." He said nodding. I nodded back. We stared at the sky a moment, drinking in the beauty before Emmett yawned. "I'm going to make some coffee. Want any?" I nodded and Emmett stumbled back inside. I turned back to the sky, taking a deep breath. I was safe, but for how long? How long until they found me, forced me back?

I wandered back inside and moved to my calendar that hung on the wall. I grabbed a marker off my desk and marked off yesterday. Seven months until I turned 18. Only seven.

I wandered into my closet, pulling off my night shirt. I flinched at the angry bruises all along my arms and legs, my back and stomach. They were hideous reminders of what I was running from. I snatched a warm long sleeve shirt off a hanger and pulled it over my head and found some jeans. I frowned when the jeans slid down my hips. Had I lost more weight? I had thought for sure I was gaining at least some. I pulled on a belt, synching it tightly before shrugging on another shirt to hid how thin I had gotten and pulled on my Uggs. I wrapped a scarf around my neck and grabbed Emmett's sweatshirt before moving downstairs. Emmett constantly worried about me and I hated that I couldn't sooth his worries. I couldn't gain weight after I had been starved and abused, I couldn't talk after being told I was worthless. I just couldn't.

"Hey Bells. I made pancakes." I looked up at my brother and tried to smile. It felt so foreign to me, like a distant memory and Emmett patted my head gently in acknowledgement of my struggle.

The only thing my brother knew how to make were pancakes, grilled cheese sandwiches and mac-n-cheese. I sat down at the table and took a pancake on my plate. I wasn't the least bit hungry, but I needed to eat. Keep up my strength to make it through the day. Keep up the façade that I was fine.

Emmett and I ate in silence as always. I picked at the two pancakes, maybe consuming one overall. After breakfast, I did the dishes and Emmett went to get dressed. As soon as he was ready, we left for school.

"So Bella," I flinched and looked up at the tiny pixie who had tried talking to me yesterday. Alice. "Are you liking Forks anymore than you were yesterday?" I studied her face a moment before shaking my head. She frowned. "That's a shame." She sounded honestly sorry that I wasn't enjoying it here. "Look Bella, I was talking to my mom and I was wondering if your family would like to come to my house for dinner Friday. I really want to get to know you Bella. I think we'll be great friends." I was absolutely floored by this tiny person. No one approached me and if they did it wasn't about inviting me to dinner and wanting to be friends with me. "You don't have to answer me, I know you don't talk much. But I just wanted to let you know." She said smiling warmly. She turned her attention to the front of the room leaving me utterly bewildered in the middle of class. What was going on?

Edward

The day dragged on so slowly, I was ready to yank out all my hair by the time lunch came around. I walked to our normal table, ignoring every look I received on the way there. I plopped down and sighed. Jasper chuckled and slid me his tray. I snatched a handful of fries and nodded my thanks.

"Oh good! Here he comes!" Alice sang happily. I looked up to see Emmett approach us. He grinned and flashed Rose a wink.

"Hey Pixie. What's up?" Alice sat up and grinned.

"I just wanted to invite you and your family to our house for dinner on Friday." Alice explained. Emmett froze, his smile sliding from his face. He looked at Alice then looked up, glancing at the cafeteria entrance. Not seeing Bella, he turned back to Alice.

"That's really nice of you." He said slowly. Alice's smile faltered.

"But?" she asked, a pout sliding into place.

"But I'm not sure Bella would be up for that." He said honestly. He suddenly looked desperate to be anywhere but here. I saw a small head of brown approach us and looked to see Bella watching everyone with wide eyes. Emmett caught sight of her and smiled.

"Hey Bells." She nodded to him, not taking her eyes off Alice. Alice smiled warmly and I saw Bella's lips twitch in response. Was she trying to smile?

"Hello Bella." Alice sang. She nodded and turned to Emmett who nodded. It was as if he could read her mind because she hadn't said a word to him so far.

"Well, it was nice talking. We'll see you guys later." Emmett said nodding. He led Bella to their table in the corner and Bella sat down, curling up in her seat. I saw Emmett sigh and slide her a salad. She shook her head and he frowned.

"Edward!" I snapped out of my trance and looked to see everyone watching me.

"What?" I asked. Alice rolled her eyes.

"Did you not hear me? You have to convince Bella to come over on Friday." I shook my head.

"Alice, if she doesn't want to, she shouldn't have to. She looks really fragile right now and how do you handle fragile things?" she rolled her eyes. I was giving her the same speech she gave me every time she was on her period.

"As if it were a vintage Chanel ball gown." She muttered. I nodded and Rose and Jasper chuckled. "But seriously Edward! She needs this. I can see it in her eyes. She needs someone to talk to, or at least, to be around and not just her brother. Something happened to Bella that sparked this and she can't move on without help." She cried desperately. I sighed. I knew she was right, but I didn't want to push Bella.

"I understand what you are saying Ali, really I do, but I don't want to push her before she's ready. Let her come to us." I said gently. Alice huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Fine." She growled. I nodded and placed my hand over hers gently.

"Alice, she'll come around. Who can resist you?" I asked smirking. She sparked to life with an infectious grin.

"No one!" she cried happily. We all laughed at the truth in her words.

Lunch passed quickly and before I knew it, I was on my way to biology. I saw Bella, curled up in her seat already and walked tentatively over to her. I placed my bag down gently but she didn't look up.

"Hey Bella." I said softly, not wanting to spook her. She looked up at me blankly. I smiled warmly at her and again, I saw her lips twitch though it didn't form a smile. "Has your day been good so far?" I figured if she wasn't going to talk, I would only ask yes or no questions. She shrugged lightly and I saw the corner of her mouth lift a tiny bit. "Yeah, my day has been like that too. See, there is this girl who I think is absolutely beautiful and interesting, but she doesn't know I exist." I said honestly. I looked her in the eyes, trying desperately to show her who I was talking about. Show her it was her who kept my mind distracted. She stared into my eyes, her deep brown pools laced with shock, fear, pain and a tiny bit of happiness. "Look, I know Alice asked you about dinner Friday, and I know you probably won't come, but I want you to know, it wouldn't just mean a lot to Alice if you came." She kept staring at me, a mix of emotions so complex it was hard to take in all of them. I smiled at her before turning to the front of the classroom and pulling out my pen and notebook.

Bella

I was so hopelessly out of my league it was almost comical, almost. Looking into Edward's eyes and seeing the burning honesty as he spoke was mind blowing. I had felt my mind swirl in a daze and my breathing slow. He was too irresistible, too perfect and I was broken. Perfect people didn't belong within breathing space of broken people. It was just how it went.

After his small speech before biology, he turned to the front of the class and started taking notes. I couldn't concentrate though. I was trying to make an understanding of what he had said. It was clear that the Cullen's, as wealthy and powerful as they were, were all good hearted people and I respected them for that. I knew what wealth could do to people and to see that they were still kind and giving was refreshing. A hope for this miserable life laid ahead of me.

Same deal as last time. And the only reason I do it is because I'm sooo busy. Otherwise I would just post weekly... so. : /

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Again, I only do this because I have such a busy schedule. Supply and demand. lol. I hope you liked this chapter. :)