Chapter 2

Like never before

It had been 4 days since my.. Outburst. Things returned to normal pretty quickly; Edward ignoring or making jokes about me. And me totally invisible, again, the way I liked it. So I was suprised to see a small familiar red subaru in our drive way when I got home from school.

Renee.

I hurried my way inside, curious as to what was waiting for me there. When I opened the front door I heard footsteps up stairs, then voices. I edged my up the stairs, one step at a time, trying to hear what they were saying without being noticed.

".. She's not happy here," I heard Charlie say.

"You promised me you would look after her until phil got out. I can't handle her right now, what with phil making little progress and me working two jobs to pay for it.." Renee trailed off.

"I.. I just don't know what to do anymore Renee. I feel so hopeless. All of her friendships have fallen apart. I can't even tell her how much I'm worried about her becuase I'm afraid of what she will do," he said, sounding defeated.

"H- have you ever told her you love her?" Renee asked. Trust her to be blunt about it, I thought.

"N- no I haven't actually," he answered.

"Well that's what she needs right now. Some love. I know you have a hard time expressing your feelings, but you're gonna have to this time 'round. She's lonley, I can see that and I haven't seen her in 7 months."

I heard Charlie sigh. I thought now would be a good time to 'appear'. I walked the few steps to the top of the stairs, acting like I hadn't heard anything, looking at my feet. When I rounded the corner, I was a little shocked at the sight I found. Charlie was sitting on my bed crying, with Renee sitting next to him, holding his hand in comfort.

Crying? That is deffinently something you don't see everyday. I thought.

No-one had noticed me yet. "Uh.. Hi Dad.. Mom?!" I squealed, trying to seem excited. "What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Hey baby!" She squealed, but it was a little off. She got up and ran to give me a hug, I squeazed her back fiercly.

"What are you doing here?" I repeated, sounding suspicious.

She giggle in my ear, pulling back, "what? Can't a mother come and visit her daughter?" She asked, sarcasm light in her tone.

I just smiled at her. I hadn't seen Renee in what felt like forever. I missed her, she was always like my bestfriend. When she met Phil we drifted apart. That was part of the reason I moved in with Charlie.

"Are you staying long?" I asked.

"Um.. No I'm not. I'm leaving now actually. I'm sorry. I have to pick up Phil tomorrow," she gave me a kiss on the cheek and another short hug. "I'll call you tomorrow, okay sweetie? I'm sorry. I'm in a rush."

"But.. you just got here? Why are you going so soon?" I asked, gripping her hand.

"I have to pick up Phil tomorrow," she said, turning towards the door.

"Right. Put your junkie boyfriend before your daughter anyday. Not like I need you," I muttered sarcatically under my breath, not meant for anyone to hear, but both Renee and Charlie heard me. Renee gasped, spun around and stared at me.

"What did you just say?" She asked.

"I said, Right, Put your junkie boyfriend before your daughter anyday. Not like I need you." I said, my tone like ice.

"Ho- Wha- Hu-.." She stuttered a few times before she paused, took a deep breath, and started again. "You knew?" She asked.

I looked at her incrediously. "Ofcourse I knew. How stupid do you think I am?" I spat,"The 'green tobaco leaves'? Seriously? I only made it look like I bought all of that shit you said so you'd think I didn't know, like you were actually protecting me," I started yelling at the end.

"Baby, I- I'm sorr-," she started apolagizing, but I didn't care.

"Cut the shit Mum. If you were sorry you would have told me in the first place, not wait for me to figure it out myself. And incase you're wondering how I found out, you left the rahab bill on the table. No wonder you could barley afford to buy food," I spat

Charlie cleared his throat, I'd almost completly forgotten he was in the room up until now. "Um, didn't you say you were leaving, Renee?" Charlie asked.

Renee didn't say anything, she just turned and left. Defeated. That was.. different. Renee was always the type to stand up for herself and what she belived in. This time.. Well, she did, but what she believed in was simply wrong. She didn't know everything that happened when she was at work at night time, what he did when he was off his face. And as far as I was concerned a week ago, she would never know. Now.. I didn't know what to think.

I heard her car start and drive away. With a sigh, I sat down on my bed. Charlie sat down next to me. I looked up at him, and he looked back.

"We're a pretty messed up family arn't we? Mum's a lying coward who loves her husband more then her own child. Phil's a junkie and a-" I cut myself off before I went any further. Charlie looked suspicious, but didn't ask. Instead, I took the conversation in a different direction, my eyes were stinging with tears already. "Dad, what did you mean when you said you didn't think it would be the best thing for me if I lived here? Am I that much of a burden?" Do you really hate me that much? I added in my head.

"You heard that?" He asked. I nodded my head a 'yes'. I didn't trust my voice. He suddenly looked horrified. "I didn't mean it that way Bells. It's just. Wh- What's been happening. I thought you might be better living with your mother, feel more at home. Ever since you and the Cullens," I winced at the name, but he went on as if I had done nothing, " stopped being friends, you were completely different. I miss that. You were so full of life, so happy. Now your.. The opposite. You don't even listen to music anymore." He looked so helpless. I couldn't help it, I threw my arms around his neck, squezing him tightly.

"Love you, Bells." He whispered.

"Love you too, Dad" I said.