Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or the characters.
Three days passed, while I was by myself, mum went with Phil two days ago. It wasn't new to me that she would choose him over me. I was right when I'd thought that even school wouldn't distract me enough to stop from thinking about what I was going to face tonight. I'd let the school know that I would be leaving. They were happy of course. They didn't think it was healthy for me to be left alone as much as I was. But then I always said "Would you rather I went with them and missed weeks of school at a time?" And they would have nothing to say to that so I'd just walk away happy that I had out smarted a teacher, again.
I caught a cab to the airport, I'd already sold my car to some kid at school – I knew that it would be useless sitting at home, not being driven and there was no way I could afford to bring it to Forks with me. The airport wasn't busy seeing as it wasn't the holidays yet, mostly business people or kids flying off to see a parent or relative for the weekend. I was one of them; but I wouldn't be returning.
The plane trip was relatively short, I just looked out the window the whole way; ignoring the flight attendants. I was thankful that I got a whole row of seats to myself; I really didn't want to sit next to some bratty kid who wouldn't stop trying to talk to me or someone who kept throwing me cautious looks as if they thought I would pull out a razor and start cutting myself or something.
I was never one for letting people get close to me since I was seven. Everything seemed to change that year. And every second of my life I wish it hadn't.
Charlie was there waiting for me when I got off the plane. He was still Chief of Police and had his uniform on. Looks like nothing has changed; he used to always wear that uniform. He had a smile on his face as soon as he saw me. Whether that was because he was actually happy to see me here at the Port Angele's Airport or because he was happy to have something to hit when he got drunk, I couldn't tell though I was leaning more towards the second theory.
"Welcome home Bells," He said warmly taking one of my bags. This wasn't home, not to me.
"Thanks dad. It's good to be back, I've missed it here." I lied. I'd gotten better at lying while Charlie hit me and mum when we still lived here all those years ago – I had to. I only called him dad to his face because if I called him Charlie it just managed to get him unnecessarily mad; he'd always say "I'm your father! And you will call me as such! I never want to hear my name come out of your fifthly mouth again!" The look in his eyes when he said that always scared me to death and I knew then that I would have to obey.
The car ride was awkward. Neither of us talked, I didn't have anything Charlie would think acceptable to say to him.
"I got you a car by the way – a homecoming gift." Charlie said firmly. Great now I have to use it no matter how bad it is. What if it breaks down, what am I meant to do then? "It's a good car for you. I got it off our old friends, the Black's, you remember them?"
"Of course I remember them. They aren't easy to forget, and thanks for the car." I would always remember the Black's. It's thanks to Billy inviting Charlie there for the game that me and mum finally escaped. I had a feeling I won't be able to get away like that again. He'll be ready.
He just nodded and concentrated on the road again.
Looks like nothing changed. He still lived in the same old white house. My room was on the second floor looking out over the road. I remember that much, and there are two bathrooms, one he used and the other me and mum used to use all the time. He didn't want blood in his bathroom.
I opened my own door and went to the boot of the car to get my bags out. It was drizzling so the ground was wet as I sloshed towards the front door. I waited for Charlie to unlock it. He came up slowly wanting to obviously take his time.
As I walked inside I immediately saw that the house was a mess. Mirrors were broken, furniture ruined from being hit and have knives thrown at it and the lounge had many holes in it; looks like he turned to this whenever he got drunk after me and mum left. I walked up the stairs – thank God he didn't do anything to the railing; that would be harder to fix or replace. It's a good thing I got a fair price for my car; I can see now that I'm going to need it. My room was trashed just like the rest of the house.
"You are going to fix this up this week, and if it's not done by Tuesday afternoon, you will be in trouble. Understand?" I just nodded too afraid to say anything else, my voice might betray me and show the fear I was feeling at the moment. It will take me a little while to adjust to living here again.
"Good now, call your mother so she doesn't worry."
I pulled out my mobile and dialled mum's number.
"Hello?" She answered groggily; she must have been asleep or something.
"Hey mum it's me,"
"Oh hello darling, how are you?"
"I'm good mum; I just wanted to let you know I got here ok. But I have to go. I'm a bit jetlagged from the trip. So I'll talk to you soon ok?"
"Ok darling. If you don't call just email me. I love you,"
"Love you too mum, bye." I said and hung up the phone. Was it really so easy for her to believe Charlie has changed? I sighed as I looked around me room. There was a double bed beside the window which had think black curtains; a desk with a lamp – I hope he has wireless now, and the same old built-in-wardrobe I used to hide in. I might have to get some new doors for that.
I walked into the kitchen, it didn't surprise me when I saw Charlie's famous book full of hangover remedies. No one ever asked how he knew so many, just that they were thankful that he could always be counted on when they needed to get to work but had a hangover. Stupid ignorant people!
I heard Charlie walk into the kitchen and stand behind me. I held my breath; this seemed too familiar.
"You are going to be home and have dinner ready by six o'clock every night and you will wash up and put the dishes away. Got that?"
"Yes sir." I said as I gulped. Mum and Charlie weren't the best cooks so as soon as I could read a recipe I was the cook. I've been cooking ever since.
"Good now get to work." He shoved me towards the bench. I put my hands in front of me to try and soften the impact. It worked – just like it used to.
Once he'd left I got to work looking in the fridge and pantry. I found some beef strips and a few vegetables I could use in a stir fry. I started making it as quickly as I could. Dinner was ready by a quarter to seven. I set the table with our dinner set out in our old spots.
"Smells good Bells, looks like you haven't lost your touch,"
"Thanks dad, I might need to go to the shops tomorrow to buy some food for the week and some furniture and stuff."
"Well it's a good thing the Black's are bring the truck up tomorrow morning." Ah I'd be getting that old red Chevy. I couldn't help but wonder if they knew what a dump this place looked like inside.
"Ok dad," I stopped talking and started eating. Charlie was eyeing me to whole time, he was probably wondering if I'd poisoned it or not. Yeah like I could do that, then I'd be just as bad as him. I would try my hardest to get away from him whenever I could and relish the moments I didn't have to be at home; but I couldn't kill someone, not even Charlie.
"You start school on Wednesday Bells, so that gives you three full days to get all the furniture in. That should be enough shouldn't it?"
"Yes it should be plenty of time."
He nodded and I took his empty plate to the sink with mine. I went back and got the glasses and got to work on the washing up.
"Oh Bells, you only need to do downstairs and your room and bathroom. The rest is fine as it is."
"Ok Dad,"
He left and started watching his flat screen TV. Well at least I won't have to pay for one of those.
I went up to my room, once I deemed the kitchen clean enough and hoped that Charlie would too; I also hoped he wasn't in the mood to get drunk tonight. Please let him stay sober for this one night. As I past the side board I saw his wireless modem that would make everything a lot easier. I went to sleep eventually while I listened to the sound of the rain on the roof.