Don't own Twilight. Grace is mine, so is the story line.
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Chapter four:
Jake and I still weren't talking, I was beginning to think our sheer stubbornness came from Billy who refused to let me going out after dark go. Nobody seemed to be listening to the fact that I was still alive and still here, though I had only said it once. It was a very frustrating ideal. So much that I felt too bothered to just sit around lately so I'd started going into school every day, this pleased Billy a lot and he didn't berate me about going to the beach till Dinner time though I was technically still grounded for another week.
'Miss Hasley, are you listening?' Mr Conner asked, I turned to look at him; feeling despair at having to release my content stare with the abandoned football outside my window. I nodded, ignoring the over the shoulder looks I was receiving. 'What did I just say?' Oh wonderful. I shrugged. He sighed loudly, almost dramatically. 'See me after class, Grace.' I usually wouldn't have been bothered but it was last lesson and I didn't want any delay on my beach time. It already felt so limited what with having to be back in the house at 7.
The rest of the lesson was boring, we watched a few Chemistry experiments on the Smart board and there was a quiz that I didn't bother to do. Teachers rarely seemed to ask anything of me in lessons, some looked genuinely surprised when I walked through the door yet most just ignored me. I was now known as the girl who doesn't talk, that suited me fine; there were no expectations to make friends or to lie to anyone. Nobody bothered me here which was nice. Unlike home where Jake seemed to be everywhere. The only upside is that Billy is happy, he likes spending time with Jacob; and I don't doubt the feeling is mutual but Jake is so annoying. He asks about everything over and over again, he teases me like he's dying of boredom and I'm certain it's just to get a rise out of me. It's becoming infuriating and I don't want to lose it with him, I have nothing else of my own to break.
The bell finally went off and everyone left quickly, I took my time and approached Mr Conner's desk with unease. He sat down and looked up at me and I knew he was going to take liberties with this. 'Miss Hasley, you're a clever girl. I know this from your homework and your prior grades to moving here,' he said. 'I know you're going through a hard time right now, losing your mother and adjusting to life here in Forks,' he continued, I gritted my teeth. 'But this isn't good enough, you're not a child, you need to be thinking about your future. You need to be mature about this. Your exams will not wait for you, Grace.' He paused, waiting for some kind of reaction. He sighed again. 'I won't give you detention but I will ask for last week's essay, if it's not in my hand by Friday then you will have detention with me after school until it is.' I would do it. I would hate to spend my time here than on the beach, even if it means spending tomorrow Lunch time in the library copying and pasting it from the internet. 'You may go.'
I walked home, it took half an hour and the rain had started. My hood was soaked by the time I made it to the water's edge, I felt like crying. I couldn't sit out here when it was like this, Billy would come out and we would argue till I went inside, then he'd give me the silent treatment until Jake came home and Jake would get angry at me.
'Grace,' called Jake, I turned to see him standing down the beach, walking towards me. 'Come on,' he said when he was in talking distance, 'we're going to see Renesmee.' It had been three weeks since I'd been there, Jake had stopped offering and I had no desire to ask.
Despite only being there twice, I found I actually liked sitting in Doctor Golden eyes' office. That's where I found myself once again, he was kneeling and still. His eyes were dark, I wasn't sure they were golden at all anymore. How does that work? It can't possibly be the light. He didn't look as model made today, his hair was down in slightly curled stands and he was wearing a shirt that was ripped in two places. 'Good afternoon, Grace,' he said calmly. Something didn't feel right, call it 'self-preservation' or a sixth sense but I felt nervous, afraid…of him.
'Carlisle,' brunette boy said from the door, Doc Black turned to look at him curiously. 'Jacob insists Grace spends time with Renesmee today, is that a problem?' Why would it be a problem? Do I need Doc Black's permission to leave? He stood and turned away from me, his shoulders hunched as he looked at the floor in what I imagined to be deep thinking. I stood from the sofa and walked over to the boy in the doorway, he let me through and I made my way downstairs; trying to normalise my breathing.
Jacob tried to smile at me as I walked over to the white sofa he and Renesmee were sitting on, it was a terrible try though; he was worried and angry and curious too, I could see it on his face as easily as I saw it on Billy's. I sat down next to short model and she sent a smile my way before unmuting the TV. Is this what spending time with Renesmee is? I could get used to this minimum effort expectation.
Mother Copper asked repeatedly if I wanted anything to eat, she even offered to make dinner for Jake and me but he declined on my behalf. He told her that Billy's guilty pleasure was having someone to cook for again. Jake had told me their names now, after we had watched a boring episode of a program I hadn't paid much attention to; Renesmee told me about Forks and the weather. It was then that Jake remembered I only knew her and Doc Black's name. Little use it did though, it was odd to call him by his name or his surname; it was as if his name was a label and it did him little justice. I doubt he would like to be called Doc Black either but it was my mind and I'd do as I pleased.
Short model is called Alice. Her honey blonde guardian that never leaves her side is called Jasper, he never smiles my way or offers anything to say; I have no doubt we'd enjoy each other's silent company. Pale brick house is Emmett, he has a lot to say and always says it loudly, his hot stuff is Rosalie; she doesn't like me much from the looks of it but that's okay. Mother Copper is Esmé, I'd assume she was Doc Black's wife, I don't know why that bothered me so I pretended it didn't. The brunette that looked like Charlie is called Bella, she's Charlie's daughter and is married to Edward, the brunette kid with the grimace. All in all, they had nice names, nice faces but didn't feel so comfortable to be around as they had. I knew it was because I was unsettled, something about Doc Black's eyes made me want to implode and hide my ashes six feet under.
'You getting out?' Jake asked, standing at my door, I rolled my eyes in response and climbed down from the truck. It was dark outside now and it was evident winter was coming what with the bare trees and nipping breeze. I was following Jake slowly towards the house when we both heard a loud growl, I stopped and looked behind me; confused. I'd never considered that there would be dangerous animals in the forest, a foolish assumption, I knew. 'Just an animal, come on Grace,' Jake said.
'It sounded close,' I replied, interested. I glanced around at the empty road and dark trees. I wouldn't be able to see anything in them if I tried so I went inside and changed into my pyjamas. Jake didn't stay for dinner, in fact I didn't see him leave. Billy told me he had forgotten his coat which would have worked if Jake had been wearing one when we went to see Renesmee. Jake never wears coats so actually, it was kind of feeble on Billy's behalf. I shrugged at it though and we ate, he told me about his day and I asked about Charlie; wanting him to keep talking. I didn't like the awkward silences that Billy and I had, it was sad and kind of pathetic. Usually Jake would be here to talk to him, I would be free to sit and say nothing but evidentially that wasn't the case.
I went to bed after dinner but didn't sleep. I lay awake all night listening to the sounds outside my window, somewhere nearby there was some sort of animal and I knew at some time in the night; it wasn't alone. I wasn't scared, I knew the house would protect me but it was just…odd, and I didn't know why.
I stared into the coal eyes of Doc Black, he was grinning at me as he stood among the trees. His shirt was torn, he was bleeding but he didn't seem to notice. He just stared as he walked towards me, his hand out in front of him. He stopped when his hand touched my face, his skin had no temperature and I knew I was dreaming. 'Come,' he said, his smile became a glare and he shouted at me, over and over again, demanding that I go where he wanted. Where? What was I supposed to do? He didn't say.
I sat up and stared into the darkness before my eyes adjusted. Jake was standing near the foot of my bed, he was looking at me. 'Jake?'
'I didn't mean to wake you,' he said, 'I came to close your window.' Okay. I lay back down.
I didn't have my window open was the first thought in my head as I woke up. I was certain of it, I hadn't opened it since I'd stopped sneaking out at night. Jake had threatened to put a lock on it if I kept doing it so I left it alone, why would I open it? The only explanation is that I didn't open it, I was too tired to know if it was actually open or not; I didn't remember feeling cold but then I haven't felt cold for a while now.
I climbed out of bed and took a shower, I dressed in warm clothes and dried my hair; trying my best to remember. Billy was in the kitchen, still in his pyjamas. 'Did Jake come home last night?' I asked, Billy looked shocked at me speaking so early in the day, he took a few seconds to reply.
'No, not that I know of, why?'
He was either in my room or I dreamed that he was in my room. I'm so confused. I shrugged it off and made some toast, Billy and I sat quietly while he read the paper. I was already late to school so I went in for Lunch time, I went to the library and found an essay to print out. I wrote my name on the top of the sheet and shoved it into my bag.
'…not like the Cullen's'.
I turned at the sound of Doc Black's surname and stared at a small group of girls, they were older than me and looked stereotypically Mean Girls but I was intrigued. I took a seat near their table hoping they'd continue.
'You never even met the Cullen's,' one said.
'How could I? They moved away ages ago,' the other replied. Why would she think that?
'My sister told me all about them,' a different girl swooned. Maybe they're talking about different people though I wasn't sure how that could be, I couldn't imagine a lot of people going by that surname in Forks.
'I'm sure Jess is always very honest.'
'Shut up, Anna.'
'Who cares guys?' A completely new voice asked. 'The Cullen's left ages ago, we'll never meet them so let it go.'
'Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed today.'
'Was Aaron on the other side?'
The table laughed and launched into a whole conversation about this Aaron boy, it bothered me that they thought the Cullen's moved away. Surely they couldn't be that much older than me? They didn't look it, possibly College students but then surely someone would see them around.
There's something really weird with that family and it bothers me that I don't know what. Maybe I should be more observant, watch closely to what they do and say. I haven't given them much thought when in their company, just accepted that they were close and all really stunning. Not anymore, I was going to try harder, even just to get some small answers. Then again, I could just ask Jacob.
'What?' Jake asked.
'Why do girls at school think that Renesmee and her family moved away?' I simply repeated my question, I knew Jake was just surprised at my question and that he had actually heard me. It was odd, he obviously knew then.
'Where did you hear that?'
'At Lunch, in the library; a table of girls were talking about them,' I replied. 'You haven't answered my question.' He hesitated and then said the most blatant lie ever.
'They were moving and then decided not to go, they keep to themselves. I don't think many people know.' I took his answer though, he wasn't going to tell me the truth, and I knew that much was obvious. It unsettled him though, he kept glancing at me through dinner like he was worried I would suddenly find out while chewing on cheesy pasta. It was so obvious, I wonder if he ever had to lie to anyone. If he did, I don't think he's very good at it.
'Alright, what's going on?' Billy asked. I continued eating, Jake did too. 'I'm not an idiot.'
'I'm fine,' I said, 'Jake's a liar but that's okay,' I shrugged. I put my empty plate in the sink and made my way towards my room. I pushed open my door and stopped still. A woman with curly black hair stood in my bedroom, she was near the window and was tightly holding onto my green pillow cover. She looked…pissed. Like full on angry. Then she was gone. I didn't know how to deal with what I'd just seen or not seen but before I had time to think rationally, my body had carried me back to the kitchen doorway. 'Someone was in my room,' I said, 'and then she wasn't.' I knew what I'd said sounded beyond crazy, it wasn't possible for someone to just not be there anymore but Jake jumped up and pushed me aside so he could walk past me. He went straight to my room and Billy wheeled closer to me looking worried and tense.
'Take a seat, Grace,' he said. I sat down.
'Why would she come here?' Jake asked, storming back into the kitchen and pacing. 'She isn't friend or foe, she has no reason to take interest in anyone.'
'I want to know how she got here, Jacob. Who's patrolling?' Billy asked. Patrolling what? What the hell are they talking about? I wanted to shout 'I'm still here' but then I was worried they might notice and make everything hush again. Jake didn't seem surprised she wasn't here, and he just believed me without evidence. I'm beginning to think it isn't just the Cullen's that are keeping secrets. Without control, my mind flashed back to the beach.
'Great she's here, are we going?' Asked Paul.
'We're going to head back Sue's,' Sam told him.
'Why? She's here, let's get it over and done with,' he said.
'I'm showing Grace and Ashley around town today, we should probably be off,' Jake said.
'Why prolong this shit? Just ditch the dying one and let's go,' he said so casually.
Even remembering made my anger spike but I tried to pay little attention to Paul's ending words. I'm sure Jake gave him hell for it anyway, well, I can hope so. Paul expected me to be there, where were they going to take me before I invited Mum along? Were they going to tell me their secret? What changed their mind?
I knew I was looking too much into it now. It's not like it could be anything major but I was fairly certain there was a woman in my room, Jake believed me, and unless I had a blank spell, I'm pretty sure she disappeared. Maybe I'm hallucinating or dreaming. Don't let me wake up in some lesson, it would be embarrassing.
'Grace,' Billy said. I looked over at him and he offered a small smile. He was going to say something but Jake beat him to it.
'Pack some stuff,' he said in my direction, 'both of you, we're going to stay with.'
'No,' Billy said. 'Grace and I will stay with Charlie and Sue,' he told him.
'It's safer,' Jake frowned.
'I'm sure it's safe where we'll be too, Grace still has school to attend so we will stay with Charlie.'
'Dad, please,' Jake was trying hard not to glare in frustration.
'Grace, go get a bag together,' Billy told me gently, I left them to it in the kitchen and made my way back to my empty room. My bed had been turned upside down, no doubt by Jake. What was he looking for? Someone had best explain to what is going on, I'm getting irritated. I packed a few of my clothes into a bag and put my phone charger in there too.
Billy was in his room getting a few things when I sat down next to Jake in the living room. 'What's going on?'
Jake shook his head, not dismissively but I knew he wasn't going to tell me. 'It's not important, Grace, all you need to know is that you'll be safe.'
'Why aren't I safe here?'
'Because you're not,' he said through gritted teeth.
'I'll explain when we get to Charlie's,' Billy told me, he had a small rucksack on his knees.
'You will not,' Jake told him.
'Settle down, Jacob,' Billy said calmly, 'I will tell her, she has a right to know why she's being up and moved for as long as it takes.' As long as it takes? I felt as if I should have packed a bit more. So…some woman shows up in my room and now I've being moved to keep me safe. Well this is odd. Very odd, and rather interesting too.
'Does this mean I can't come to the beach?' I asked, sad.
'Yes, for the time being, you'll understand soon enough,' Billy said. 'Let's go,' he added, not letting Jake speak.
It didn't take long to get to Charlie's house, it was nice looking and there was already a bedroom I could sleep in with blue walls and a purple bedspread. Charlie said it was Bella's old room and that if I could try not to break anything, that'd be great. Charlie was a man of few words, like myself, so I just nodded and I knew he knew he had my word on the matter. I didn't unpack, not that I had much to store away. I left my bag on the bed and paced in front of the window.
Jake and Billy were still out front. He was unhappy that I wasn't going with him, I think. He was also unhappy that Billy was about to tell me something big, I think. It's not like Jake and I could get on worse terms at the moment so I wasn't bothered about him being upset over this, I was frustrated at how he regarded Billy though. Billy is a good and kind man, he doesn't deserve to have his son glare at him in such a way.
'Knock, knock,' said Sue, I turned to look at her as she carefully edged into the room. 'Hey,' she said gently, despite wanting to remind her I wasn't a frightened animal nor a small child, I couldn't help but smile at her kind nature. She perched on the edge of the bed and glanced around the room as if she hadn't seen it before, until her eyes rested on me. 'Billy is going to be telling you a lot of…important and unbelievable stuff soon,' she said, her face contradicted itself so I couldn't see whether she was happy about the decision or not, 'and I know it's going to be a lot to take it and understand but that's okay. We don't expect you to know what we're talking about or expect you to not have questions, just take things slow and try your best; okay?' I suddenly felt like there was going to be a pop quiz at the end of this. I knew she was serious though which made me very nervous.
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