Your kind words are extraordinary to me. Thank you to everyone following this little story of mine.
Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight although I wish I owned Edward…
It wasn't long before we were back in the small town of Forks as the sun went down over the endless forests. It was so peaceful out here; I never got this kind of silence back home in London.
Alice was back on her phone, oblivious to my ogling of her father. I couldn't believe he was only thirty eight! Alice was practically eighteen, so Rosalie must have been around that age when she got pregnant…
I thought back over the conversation we had at the beginning of the journey and wondered if that was why Edward never bothered to get out of Forks.
Had Rosalie and Mr Cullen been high school lovers and were then shot with the news of a baby? Did Rosalie panic? Did Edward? Was that why they were still living in the same town they grew up in? Would Alice be stuck here too, or did she want to actually explore the world?
I looked back at Mr Cullen and wondered if he resented Rosalie for the life that was cut short. Did he want to do all the things I thought about doing as I expanded on my life? He was deemed an incredible composer and teacher, but is teaching what he wanted to pursue in life? Or was it just so he had a respectable, secure job to provide for his family.
We reached the house just as it started to rain down on the quiet town. I helped Alice drag in the bags of clothes we bought and Rosalie met us at the door, smiling in greeting.
"Wow, you girls had some fun, I see!" She winked and I smiled as Alice giggled with excitement.
"Oh Mom, it was the best trip I've had in a long time! Bella is so funny to shop with- she probably hated every second of it like dad did but it was funny to watch her struggle to keep up."
I rolled my eyes at Alice' giddiness and went to put my bags away upstairs, not wanting to be a bother with a mess.
"Did your father buy anything nice?" I heard Rosalie say as I climbed the stairs and then zoned out, not wanting to hear Mr and Mrs Cullen bicker over god knows what.
They were so tense towards each other and I prayed to god it wasn't to do with the fact that I was staying here. I didn't want to be a strain on the family's stress levels. But they wouldn't have taken me in if they weren't able to handle it. I would be just like a second child to them.
I hung up my purchases in my wardrobe and sat down on my bed to gain my bearings.
I checked the time on my watch and saw it would be an okay time to ring back home.
I picked up my iPhone and dialled my mother's number, eager to hear her voice. She picked up on the second ring.
"Bella? Is that you darling?" She bellowed through the phone and I giggled, feeling my throat constrict from the strength of my love for her. I missed her so much already.
"Yes mum, it's me," I smiled.
"Oh, how are you? I was so worried you didn't call when you landed but I knew the time differences kind of fucked you up. Oh it's so good to hear your voice! It's so quiet without you playing music around the house! How's the family? Are they nice? Are you being a good guest?"
I sighed but couldn't help my laugh at her hundreds of questions.
"Yes mum, I'm safe, you need to calm down! I know I didn't call, I'm sorry, it was just hectic getting from Seattle to Forks. It's quiet here too, trust me. The family is great. The father of the house is my music teacher actually! I'm on my best behaviour as well. Anything else you'd like to ask?"
"No, you seem to have covered it all," mum laughed. "Are you eating yes? What about your meds darling?"
I bit hard down on my bottom lip, knowing full well that she was leaving that question for last.
"I had a big dinner last night, mum," I said truthfully. "I took my medication too. Um, I didn't this morning but last night I did." I lied through my fucking teeth and I hated it.
"Okay, well the second we end this call please go take them, darling. I know you don't need them anymore but you need to finish this dose or things will get worse again."
"I know, I know, I'll take my meds, I promise," my eyes filled with tears and I let them spill over, knowing I could in the comfort of my own room.
I sniffled and mum saw through me easily.
"Don't cry darling, don't you dare! There's no reason to!"
"I just miss you, mum," I said, which was true. Just not the reason I was crying.
"Here's your father to talk to you. I love you baby girl, keep that smile on your face alright? Call when you start school. I miss you."
I talked to my dad for a few more minutes, my tears never ending until I heard a knock on my door.
"Bella? There's food downstairs for you," I heard Mr Cullen say as he opened up my door hesitantly.
"Dad, I got to go, I love you… I miss you too, bye!"
I hung up the phone and wiped my eyes quickly, embarrassed at being caught by Edward.
"Are you okay, Bella?" He asked me, coming to sit by me on the bed.
I smiled brokenly. "Yeah, I just miss my parents is all," I said. "It's weird being so far away from them. I haven't been separated in a long time. We're very close."
Edward nodded and smiled sadly, understanding completely.
"I heard you talk from down the hall but I didn't want to disturb your call. Rosalie insisted I call you down for dinner this time. She wants you in a routine for school."
I nodded, praying that he didn't hear me talk about my medication. I knew he would run straight to Rosalie to discuss my health. I didn't want them knowing I had dealt with depression ever since my brother. I was moving off my medication though.
I was on my last batch, just to finish up as my old therapist had wished I'd do. I hadn't been to counselling in over two months. I was healing. As was the rest of my family.
"Thank you, I'll come down with you," I said, rising from the bed.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Edward asked again. "I'm a good listener. Ask Alice." He definitely heard my phone call. Fuck.
"I'm really fine. Thank you."
Rosalie had prepared a lovely meal that I ate slowly, still not used to big helpings of food. With my depression, I had stopped all forms of basic activities. I had stopped eating completely and lost so much weight that I still struggled to gain back.
I never risked hurting myself in the ways my brother Mason did, for I knew I couldn't put my parents through that, regardless of how low I felt. It was a hard three years of battling the loss of my best friend and brother, but I got through it with music.
My father feared I would lose my passion for music over the loss of him but I did the exact opposite.
Music was my coping mechanism. When I couldn't get up for school most days, I just played on the piano for hours and wrote music. It was the only thing that gave me drive and motivation. I'd like to say it saved me.
The conversation was light at the dining table. Alice gushed over how excited she was to return to school. I didn't see why; it wasn't like she was missing her friends who literally lived two steps away.
I'm sure gossip travelled fast in this tiny town. It must be hell being a teenager here. The local priest probably knew who was fucking who in Forks High.
"Are you nervous at all, Bella?" Rosalie asked me from across the table. I swallowed a piece of chicken and shook my head.
"Yes and no. I'm excited to see how things are run in American schools but I'm worried about meeting new people. I'm glad I have Alice as a friend. I'm sure I wouldn't survive if she wasn't here."
Alice laughed and hugged me awkwardly in the way we were sitting. I leaned into her gratefully, knowing I would soon grow even more comfortable around her in due course.
"You'll be fine. Everyone in Forks High will love you," Mrs Cullen smiled warmly. "You're a gem. Just make sure you focus on school rather than popularity. Lord knows that means nothing once you leave the place."
I think she was referring to her own time in high school, but I couldn't be sure.
"Were you popular in high school, Mrs Cullen?" I asked, feeling bold. I was far too curious not to ask.
Rosalie laughed. "Please call me by my name, Bella. I feel way too old when you call me Mrs."
I blushed and nodded.
"I was very popular. Captain of the cheerleading squad and still managed to keep my grades up. I wasn't very smart but I passed with flying colours. My mother always wanted me to attend Dartmouth but… plans changed.
But yes, I was popular but, like I said, that doesn't matter. People in this town never bother with that sort of things once you get your diploma at graduation. It's all grown up shit from there."
"Mom had me at eighteen," Alice chimed in. "I was definitely not planned but momma loved me all the same. Her own parents disowned her, isn't that right?"
Rosalie nodded timidly with a thin smile. Edward was quiet as a mouse.
"Did you want to leave Forks? Before Alice," I said carefully.
Rosalie smiled. "No, I never wanted to leave. This was my home. I didn't see myself in a big university so I didn't really mind when my mother kicked me out. That meant I didn't have to move away from the people I knew. I thank god for Ali every day."
My eyes shot to Mr Cullen as she said this, watching his jaw tense at her words. That gave me enough incentive to know he did not feel the same way.
Alice changed the subject, stating she was going to run for class president. Edward looked genuinely excited for his daughter and I could see the love and adoration in his eyes and it didn't match up with how Rosalie spoke about her plans to stay in Forks for her unborn baby.
After dinner, the Cullen's gave me the rundown of what tomorrow would be like at school. I would have to wear a uniform, which I was used to wearing back home in London.
It was a simple blue blazer with the school crest on it, a white shirt and a tie. Knee high socks were required along with a fuck short skirt that really shouldn't be legal to wear in public.
Alice brought me my clothes and even some black shoes to match with a tiny heel on them. Edward gave me a map of the school but promised me the vice principle would be there to give me a tour in the morning. I had nothing to worry about.
I also had Alice to help me in any areas the teachers couldn't. For now, I had a lunch partner.
The family had a weird way of spending their Sundays- everyone was so distant. Alice went upstairs to paint her nails, preparing to show up everyone at school tomorrow and Rosalie went off to do some laundry. Edward sat in the living room reading quietly to himself. It was eerily quiet. I hated it.
I walked around the house and decided to head out back towards the forest. There was a small swing set at the very end of the garden that met the large trees. I sat on one seat and lightly swung back and forth. I closed my eyes and just listened to the sounds of the trees rustling in the wind.
It was nice to just let my thoughts run free and not worry. So much was going through my mind about school and music and this weird family and Edward that I just let it all go with the wind, leaving me thoughtless and at ease.
I twirled in my seat to face the house and saw Mr Cullen standing in the kitchen window, watching me carefully.
I didn't feel embarrassed under his gaze, nor did I feel weird to find a thirty eight year old man gawking at me from the comfort of his own home.
Instead of thinking too much into it, I smiled and waved slightly, earning a smile from him in return. I then swung lightly again, twirling towards the forest once more, trying to calm my nerves and hot thoughts.
Mr Cullen was too beautiful for his own good and I would probably die from spontaneous combustion at the sight of him. What was he doing to me?
I have a lot of free time this weekend, thank god, so I should get some more writing done. I was just so happy with the reviews that I just could not help uploading this chapter. The more people review, the more I feel compelled to write.
Bella starts school in the next chapter, so be prepared for some uniform Bella and hot teacher Edward. I cannot wait to write it!
Reviews are love, so give me some love!
Meg.
