Alone and Homeless
It was late at night, probably early morning, but I couldn't fall asleep. Bella's birthday party had been a disaster, and it was still running through my mind. I knew it wasn't going to be the bet birthday she'd ever had, but I didn't expect a blood bath, which is exactly what had happened.
I had stood next to Rosalie, her arms wrapped around my waist. Bella was standing with Matt across the room. I could tell she wasn't happy, but I knew the presents would make up for it. I loved seeing my family gather for something so fun. But the enjoyment didn't last long. Bella cut her finger, a tiny cut, but everything moved too fast. Jasper lunged and I saw the boys move to stop him. I yelled when I saw Matt push Bella towards the crystal. Rosalie gripped me tighter as I tried to pull away to help Bella. I felt her arms push against my ribs, bruising them. It was over in a heartbeat, Bella bleeding worse than before, Jasper no where to be seen, and everyone else in the house trying to resist the smell of freshly spilt blood.
I could hear them all move around down stairs. Emmett's Jeep coming to life, which was probably Jasper and Alice leaving. This was changing everything. Matt was changing everything. I noticed the way he had been acting with Bella since the accident. At first I didn't think anything of it, but I knew now. I only wished I had been in on the decision. I closed my eyes shut as I heard my door creak open.
"It's not fair…" I whispered as I felt my mattress shift under the new weight. Cold arms wrapped around me. I wanted to pull away, but I couldn't force myself too.
"I'm sorry, Annie." My breath caught in my throat, as I heard Edward whisper against my neck.
"Don't leave," I nearly choked. I stared into the darkness with wide eyes, hoping the tears that were forming wouldn't fall. "Stay with me."
"You know I can't. We have forever, Annie, we don't need to rush." My jaw tightened as I heard him murmur our moto. Forever was the only thing he could promise me, while in the present I received nothing but fleeting kisses and sweeping touches. He kissed my neck, right at the pulse point. "I'll come back for you." I felt the weight leave the bed. Another promise, I knew Edward couldn't keep. I definitely wasn't falling asleep knowing they had all left me.
It was eerie quiet down stairs. I scooted out of my bed and turned on my bedside lap. I made up my mind quickly, something I learned to do with a sister like Alice. I pulled a duffle bag out from under my bed and started to pack. I put in jeans, sweaters, t-shirts, everything that was essential. When it felt like it weighted fifty pounds I changed and ran downstairs. My stomach dropped as my assumption had been right, they really were gone.
A green Jeep Wrangler, one smaller much smaller than Emmett's, was sitting in the garage. A parting gift from my dad I supposed. Apparently, not all the car's had been needed. Some were still sitting in their normal spots, covered with white drapes. Even more furious than I had been before, I threw the duffle bag in the back. Starting the car I drove to the only other place I knew I'd feel at home: Bella's house.
I thought that Bella would let me stay at her house. I knew Charlie wouldn't mind. But I hadn't thought this all the way through. If my family was gone, this meant that Bella would be heartbroken without Matt. Pulling up to the house, I was crossing the front lawn as Sam was leaving. He along with his pack had smirks on their faces. I couldn't help but glare back at them.
"Annie…" Charlie's breathless voice met me at the door. I looked at his exhausted expression and worried eyes.
"Charlie what happened?" I asked full of concern.
"Your brother…" He spat back at me. I flinched as his words hit me, moving back a step defensively. I didn't think he'd take this out on me. Matt, I could tell, wasn't his favorite person, but it wasn't like I had any control over his actions.
"Charlie, I'm so sorry. Is she okay, can I …"
"Not now, Annie. I'll have her call you." He closed the door on me then. This meant I was really alone, and was probably without a best friend for awhile. I could only hope she wasn't going to take her anger at Matt out on me, like her father had decided to do.
Once my new car, I didn't know where else to go. I didn't want to explain everything to Jessica, just to have her spread the gossip. Angela would kill me for coming to her house this late at night, and I couldn't go to any of the boys' they wouldn't care either way. I started driving, before I even knew where I was going. The La Push sign gave my heart a little jolt. This was the last place I thought I'd ever go for help.
I knocked on the door hoping he wasn't enjoying himself at the bonfire like I knew Sam and his minions were. "Billy, please open up." I yelled. He flung the door open, probably surprised to hear my voice at his door.
"Annie, what are you doing here?" I couldn't tell him. I shouldn't need too. He must have known they were gone, but I guess he thought they would have taken me with them, just like I had. Carlisle was supposed to be the good guy, the loving father figure, not an abandoner. I fell to my knees, sobbing into his lap. He stroked my hair, a fatherly touch I so desperately needed at this moment. "Come in, sweetheart."
I pulled myself together long enough to get inside the house. Jacob was probably at the party, not fully understanding it's meaning, but I was glad. I didn't want to see him. I didn't want to be here at all, but I was homeless. Billy let me stay in a spare room, one I suppose belonged to his daughters. I settled in as best I could. I cried myself to sleep, and knew I wasn't going to wake up in the morning for school. I stayed in a state of shock watching the day come and go through a window. I was living with the enemy. Someone I thought I hated me as much as they hated my family, but Billy looked after me. He brought me breakfast, and lunch, and didn't ask a single question. He didn't push to know what had happened. I liked the comfortable silence. I liked letting my thoughts run free instead of caging them or muting them.
If this is what it felt like to be a normal teenage girl, then I didn't want it. I wanted to be with my immortal family. I loved being gently rocked to sleep in cold marble arms. I loved hearing the muffled conversations as I slept. I loved my room with the black windows overlooking the forest. I would trade one day of free thoughts and emotions, for one more night in my house with the family I loved.