I just stand and stare
Emmett has a big goofy grin on his face, and Rosalie looks perfect, just how she always does, obviously with a hint of disdain.
I find my voice after what seems like an hour.
'hello' I croak out, take a breath and try again. 'Hi Emmett,' I then turn my head slightly 'Rosalie'
'How have you been, Bells?'
'Um, okay' I stutter. 'Look, I'm working and we don't exactly stock what you want, so perhaps you should go.'
Rosalie hissed and started to get up, Emmett put a hand on her arm 'Rosy,' he muttered before turning back to me.
'Sorry, Bells, it's just we were in the area and I wanted to see you, make sure your okay.'
'I'm at work' was all I could say, this just wasn't making any sense.
'We shouldn't have come here, but would you meet up with us after your shift?'
'Why Emmett, why now?'
'We can talk later, please Bella?'
'Um, okay, I get off in two hours, I'll meet you at the bar.' I look around and see Bex staring, I take out my pad 'You'd better order something.'
I took their order and got back to work, my brain not really functioning. All I could do was wonder what this was about, why after 6 years of nothing do I suddenly have two people from a future lost sat in my place of work.
After what seemed like triple the time my final two hours were finished. I walked over to the bar where a smiling Emmett and a not so happy Rosalie were waiting for me.
I took a deep breath, not sure how I would get through the next however long this, whatever this was, would take.
'Bella' Emmett began
'What are you doing here? What happened to 'like you never existed'?'
'Um, what?'
'That's what E…' I couldn't bring myself to say his name, 'he, that's what he said.'
Rosalie was looking at me with something other than her usual distaste, but I couldn't say what. Emmett looked upset.
'Sorry, it's just, we saw you in that club the other night, and well I wanted to come talk to you, to find out if you are okay, to catch up. I know it's selfish.' He looked so contrite. 'But I worry about you'
Now I really never thought I would be able to get angry at the Cullens. I have always seen everything as my fault. I get angry at myself for ever thinking that I was even remotely good enough, and I go through bouts of depression. Bouts probably being an understatement. But I once read somewhere that everyone has got a button you just need to know where to push. Turns out Emmett was the key to mine.
'Worry about me? Worry about me?' I can feel the anger leaking into my voice, which I think I manage to keep to an acceptable volume. 'Really, so when you left without even saying goodbye, that was for my benefit huh?' I take a breath. 'Look I don't know what this is about, and frankly I don't care' I lie. 'But, I can't do this'
I walk off and head out of Eclipse.
I just start walking home, when I feel someone catching up with me.
'Look Em' I say as I turn around, but stop speaking when I realise it's Rose.
'I won't pretend that I have missed you. You know that I never cared much for you.' She says, 'But you need to talk to Emmett'
'Why?'
'Because regardless of anything else, he has missed you. Don't ask me why, I love him but sometimes I think I will never understand him.' She looks down at me. 'He has a big heart, always has done, and he thinks of you as a little sister.'
I start to say something, to object, but she hisses to keep me quiet.
'Regrets are a bad thing for a vampire to have, so you will go back and listen to him.'
She has no uncertainty in her voice and I am a little scared, so I nod and start walking back to the restaurant.
Emmett is waiting outside, and as I look at him I realise that I do want to talk to him.
'Bells?'
I know it's a question so I attentively nod in reply. He puts his arms around me and envelops me in a big hug.
