This chapter I kind of felt like I needed to get it out of the way before I got to some good stuff. So bear with me, it does get better.
Don't own twilight, please don't sue me
I had missed school early that week, and returned on Wednesday, after Charlie had left for rehab. I looked for any excuse not to be in the house. No one at school knew about what had happened with Charlie, thankfully, so I didn't have to deal with pitying looks from anyone. People had accepted the cover story that he had taken time off and would be away for a while without asking too many questions.
Alice and Rosalie came to my house with me after school. I saw a red BMW convertible parked in front of my house next to Charlie's truck (the cruiser that he normally drove was being used by the deputy).
Esme was leaning against my front door with a few grocery bags in her hands. She smiled radiantly as we stepped out of my car, putting down the bags and giving me a big hug.
"How are you, dear?" she asked.
"I'm ok," I replied, trying not to look as upset as I'd been looking over the past few days.
I led the way into the house. "what's all this?" I asked her curiously.
"Alice said you hadn't been eating much so I brought some things over."
I was touched. I didn't know why this perfect family had taken such a liking to me, but I was grateful for it and I felt the same way about them.
I helped bring the bags into the kitchen. Esme looked at the living room next to it and sighed. I blushed, embarassingly. I hadn't really found the motivation to clean up after Charlie left. All the old bottles were still lying around. The place was a mess, now that I looked at it. I had barely noticed before.
"Looks like we've got some work to do," said Esme, softly.
"Oh, don't worry about it, Esme," I said, blushing further. I didn't want her to have to come and clean up my house also.
"Nonsense, Bella, its no trouble." She walked around, with one arm crossed and one hand on her chin, deep in thought. "hmmm…" she would mutter every so often. I saw that she was taking in the look of the old furniture, the stains on the carpet, the drab paint job on the walls.
The house very nice, Charlie's father had built it ages ago. It was a decent sized stone cottage that had been renovated on my grandmother's orders a few times before she'd become too old to care anymore. Charlie had moved all his old things into this house, giving away their old furniture. But his wasn't much better to be honest.
Esme, suddenly looking determined and excited, turned to her daughters. "Ok, girls, I want you to take Bella to a furniture store. We'll need new living room furniture, and maybe a new tv."
Alice looked excited, but Esme spoke again, "Alice, nothing too crazy or girly! This is Charlie's house too."
"Wait!" I cut in, anxiously, "its really ok, I don't need new furniture, I'll clean up soon."
But Rosalie spoke this time. "Bella, no offense but this place is depressing! You can't live like this, we won't let you."
"but-" I began before Alice cut me off.
"Bella, please don't be difficult about this, ok?! I promise it'll be fun."
I knew it would do me no good to argue. So I surrendered. We went to a furniture store not too far from Port Angeles. To my pleasant surprise, it was a lot of fun. There were too many choices so we came up with a system; we would grade the sofas on looks, comfort and whether or not the fabric was fire-resistant (they didn't want to take any chances with my luck.)
In the end, we picked out a cozy yet stylish gray sofa and matching love seat as well as a beautiful wooden coffee table and matching side tables. Then we got a few more random items and made sure they would be delivered to my house tomorrow.
When we got back to my house and walked into the living room, I felt my jaw drop. Was this the same house? Esme had removed all of the furniture, taken out the carpet to reveal the gorgeous hard wood floors underneath and painted the room a very light, yet warm beige color set off with sprakling white moldings everywhere.
"How on earth did she get this all done in 3 hours?!!" I exclaimed.
Rosalie shrugged. "I'm sure the boys helped."
"Ok, Bella, we'll see you tomorrow." Said Alice, giving me a hug.
"Should I drive you guys home?" I asked. I hadn't seen a car outside.
"No, need, we can run." She answered.
"Are you crazy!!"
"It's really not that far. Plus, we need the exercise," she added, clearly lying.
"For what, I've never seen you eat!!!" This was insane. Sometimes they were just so bizarre! "Here," I said giving them my car keys, "Take my car, you can pick me up in the morning."
Rosalie sighed and rolled her eyes. "Fine. See you tomorrow."
Following Day
Text Message From: Alice Cell
Hey Bella, ur coming 2 our house 2nite. Esme said she needed some more time 2 do some stuff at ur house and she didn't want u 2 see it 'til it was done
Reply Text Message From: Bella Cell
Oh Geez! U guys, I'm fine!
Reply Text Message From: Alice Cell
No one said u werent
Reply Text Message From: Bella Cell
U could have waited 2 tell me this at lunch, u know
Reply Text Message From: Alice Cell
But Im so bored now! Stupid history class!
Reply Text Message From: Bella Cell
Cant be any worse than this spanish class. Why on earth would I ever need 2 know how 2 ask Pepito if he finished his rice in spanish? That's his own damn business!
