Someone
18 months, 6 days, and 8 hours prior to the events of Twilight.
When I got home, I knew something was wrong.
First of all, I didn't hear any obnoxious wrestling, monster truck driving, X-games, you get the gist of things. So that meant Pig-Man wasn't here. I mean don't get me wrong no one enjoys Pig-Man free moments more than I, but it was still strange.
Secondly, and this was the part that bothered me, Renee wasn't playing the piano. Normally when I go home I was greeted by the grunts of wrestlers and the soft flowing music of Claire de Lune. But today… nothing, silence.
"Mom?" I called,
Nothing
Now I was scared. I walked into the kitchen. There was a note on the table. I picked it up and read:
Bella,
There was an emergency with Jake. I will be home by 10.
Mom
I hope he died.
Morbid, I know, but he was just so… pointless. As far as I could tell her was a lowlife who mooched off of older women and used his own meager paycheck to satisfy his own…needs.
I went up to my room to work on my homework. It wasn't challenging what so ever. Unfortunately, what I really wanted right now, was a distraction.
No, I had to admit to myself, it wasn't a distraction I needed. I needed…someone. Not just a friend who will give me a hug and tell me it will all be all right. No, what I needed was someone more than just a friend, who understood me, and would listen to me.
Don't get me, Renee was a great friend, but it's really hard to talk to your mom about your problems when your big problem is…your mom.
I bashed down these thoughts immediately. No one noticed me, especially not boys. I had never been kissed, never been on a real date, never even really had a best friend. I had acquaintances, but no one who really understood me.
Some how I managed to still finish my homework, while wallowing self-pity. What can I say? I am a gifted multi-tasker. I had just picked up the phone to call for Chinese when it rang, simultaneously scaring the crap out of me and causing me to drop the phone. After fumbling with it for a second I answered it.
"Hello?"
"This is James Worthing, principle of Scottsdale High School, calling to remind you that the Halloween dance is soon approaching! Make sure to start thinking of your costume and how to ask that special someo-"
I hung up.
It was like the school was mocking me for never being asked to or going to a dance.
After ordering some dumplings, rice, and egg rolls, I settled down to watch some quality reruns of America's Next Top Model. When I flipped on the television I was greeted with the playboy network. That Jake has truly refined taste in entertainment.
I quickly switched to MTV. Now thoughts of the Pig-Man had intruded my mind and it was nearly impossible to enjoy Tyra telling off season four's Tiffany after she was kicked off (a classic).
Luckily, now was the time when most of Renee relationships crumbled so he would be gone soon, and I would be left to put Renee back together. It was like clock work.
When my food got here I tipped the delivery boy a five, and took my food into the living room, without even bothering to get a plate.
I ate while I watched 3 episodes of Americas Next Top Model, and Renee should be getting home soon.
By 10:30 I was starting to worry. What had been the emergency with Jake? Maybe he had died.
I heard the door being unlocked and opened around 10:45.
"Bella?" my mom called,
"I'm in here," I responded, "There is some leftover Chinese food in the fridge if you want it,"
"Thanks, Bella," she said as she walked in, taking a bite out of an egg roll,
"What was the emergency?" I asked not really wanting to hear her reply,
"Oh, it's nothing. It is all taken care of now," Renee replied,
We sat in silence for a little while. We were just to the final fashion show between Kalen and Niama (can you tell I am a devoted fan), when Renee finally broke the silence.
"Are there still wanted adds posted at your school?" she asked,
"Uh…yeah, 1 or 2, I think" I responded, not like where this was going,
"Maybe, you should look into it you know, start saving up for college,"
"I guess it couldn't hurt,"
And so began the great job hunt of 2003