A little early, but here it is :)

Thank you SunflowerFran3759 for your awesome beta skills. If there are any mistakes, they're mine for adding things after her review.


Chapter 8

"I heard it hurts the first time."

"I heard some guys like to stick it in the backside."

"Tiffany says it hurts the most there!"

The music was loud. The people crowding the house were louder.

Tommy nervously chewed on her lip as she sat on the couch with the stoners. At least they didn't talk. Unfortunately, she could still hear the girls having their stupid conversations on the couch next to them.

She hoped Leah would get her fill of fun so they could leave.

She had arrived with Leah who looked pretty with her short skirt and blouse. Once they had spotted them, Leah had run over to Kate and Tanya with Tommy in hand.

The girls ignored Tommy. She didn't mind. She didn't like being noticed by people she didn't like. The girls gossiped, and she could tell they were trying to include Leah. She hoped they didn't take her away. Tommy had always felt like she didn't need friends. She didn't like anybody. But Leah had grown on her. It would have been unfair if they took her away from her.

She had spent several minutes with the giggling stoners; away from everyone else, hoping time would speed up.

She stood up, pulled her up her pants as usual and fixed her baseball cap. She walked over to where Leah was still intently listening to what Kate had to gossip about.

She tapped on her friend's shoulder. "Hey, Leah, do you think we could leave now?"

"No! Come on, Tommy! The party is just getting fun!"

Tommy nodded. She wondered how far her house was from this place and if it wasn't too cold for a walk.

She studied Kate's make-up and hair as the girls continued talking. She was very pretty. Her blue eyes stood out against the dress she wore, and her skin was perfectly tanned. Tanya looked the same and Tommy wondered who taught them how to dress and be pretty.

She remembered trying a few times to 'do something' with her hair and with the make-up her mother still had. But she hated how she looked in the mirror. It wasn't her. She wasn't pretty enough.

She was too rough. She was not feminine or girly. She was too serious.

She wasn't flirty.

She wasn't like Edward's new girlfriend. He stood at the corner of the living room with her. She laughed and talked to him, while he only nodded and stared at his cup. Tommy had to look away. She couldn't look at the girl anymore. She was the kind of girl boys liked.

Not like Tommy.

Edward hadn't talked to her since that day in the woods when Tommy cursed at him. She tried not to care, but it was pissing her off each day that passed in which he didn't even try to mend whatever it was they had.

She was tired of fighting with herself. Each time she saw how devastated he looked, she wanted to go to him and cheer him up, but she would stop herself. She knew it was pride and that it was stupid.

"Hey, Tommy, this is Miranda," Leah said, bringing her out of her daze.

Miranda just nodded towards Tommy and continued talking about herself. She was Kate's sister and was a few years older than the others were.

She talked about sex and drugs.

It seemed her world only revolved around these things. Tommy couldn't comprehend why girls obsessed over stuff like that. After all the stories her mother had told her, she could never imagine herself living like that.

Remembering her mother made Tommy feel uneasy.

She looked over at where she had last seen Edward, but he was no longer there. This made her more nervous, and she wanted nothing more than to go home. When he was around, she felt that at least someone she knew was there.

"Leah, can we leave?" Tommy asked again.

Leah sighed and pulled her friend to the side. "Tommy, I really like Kate. I think she likes me too. I want to be her friend, and you're ruining this!"

"I just don't think we should be here. Your parents never let you hang out with me, what makes you think that hanging out with these girls will be any better?"

"My parents will just need to accept it," Leah muttered.

Tommy sighed and decided that twenty minutes of this party was all she was giving her friend.

She stood around, getting away from the crowd. A few guys made jokes about her being dressed like a boy, but she tried to ignore them.

"Hey," one shouted and roughly grabbed her arm, pulling her to his chest. "You wanna know how a real man feels?" His beer breath hit her face, making her cringe. He roughly palmed her left breast. "See, you are a girl after all."

Tommy felt her heart hammer in her chest and the air difficult to inhale. She tried pulling away, but this guy was too strong. She didn't remember when the boys in school got so big. She used to push them around, but now she couldn't even get out of this one's hold.

"You're a pretty duck, Isabella. Pretty little duck."

She felt her eyes sting with tears as she continued to struggle with the drunken boy. The gruff voice she hated so much running through her brain like a virus. The same voice that would make her run away each time it was near or that wouldn't let her sleep. The same voice that had made her feel disgusting for so long.

"Let her go, you son of a bitch!"

Suddenly her arm was free, throbbing from where the drunken boy had held on too tightly. She looked up through her glossy eyes and suddenly felt the same old feeling of warmth and safety that came with seeing Edward.

He was taller than the drunken boy who cowardly started walking backwards and away from Edward. "If you ever, if any of you ever fuck with her again, I will personally end you!"

She had never seen this side of him. He was usually calm and quiet. And ever since his mother had passed away, he always seemed to be silently brooding, keeping his hurt to himself. But something inside Edward had snapped. The angry vein on his forehead, along with his tense jaw made everyone around them step back.

"Edward," she whispered with a broken breath. "Come on, it's okay." She gently took his hand and pulled him to her.

She pulled him to the back of the house where they could have a moment alone. She stood in the corner as he paced around, trying to calm himself.

"Why didn't you fight him, Tommy?" He asked. He was still furious, shoving his hands into his overgrown hair. "You're always fighting everyone, even me. Why didn't you punch that son of a bitch in his stupid face?"

"I just...I just froze...Don't be mad at me, Cullen."

"I'm not mad at you," he sighed, placing both of his hands on her upper arms. "I just don't want anybody hurting you." He stayed quiet for a minute or two before looking into her eyes again. "What are you doing here anyway? These people are poisonous. You aren't like them." He softly ran his fingertips over her jaw and cheeks, making her shudder.

"I could ask you the same thing," she said. "But then again, you're here with your stupid girlfriend." She hated how she sounded so wounded and immature. So to distract him, she wiped away the worried lines from his forehead with her fingertips. She smiled, realizing how much taller he had become since she had to stand on her toes to reach his face. He looked older too. Handsome. No longer was he the young boy she had met years before. His eyebrows were thicker, adorning his beautiful, green eyes, and there was a tiny hint of stubble on his defined jaw and chin that felt funny as she ran her fingers over it.

She had never found anybody handsome or beautiful, but there he was, older and both of those things.

He visibly calmed down, leaning into her touch and gently running his fingers up and down her neck. She wondered if he knew he was doing it, but didn't bother pointing it out.

"Why don't we get out of here?" He asked. "Maybe we could, I don't know, go to my house."

She wanted to jump at the invitation, but a flash of her friend's face in her mind made her realize she something else to do. "Later, I have to make sure Leah gets home. She's a crazy teenager."

Edward chuckled. "I'm heading home already. Just knock on my window and I'll open it for you."

"You tell me this like I've never done it before. I'm a damn pro."

He smirked and playfully gave her a gentle shove. "I'll be waiting, Swan. Maybe we can watch Rambo II."

"Yeah, maybe."

She watched him walk out of the loud house and stared at his back until he finally disappeared.

She caught Leah laughing and trying her best to fit in with the other girls. Tommy understood her friend. Life was easier when others agreed with you and your fake persona. Who didn't want an easy life?

She certainly didn't have one. But somehow, she couldn't find it in herself to fight for anybody's approval but her own.

She had other things to worry about. Things that weighed heavily on her shoulders. Sure, she was just a kid, and maybe her problems were not a big deal to others, especially other adults, but they were her problems. She had accepted that she would never be the girl with a lot of friends or the pretty girl everyone fancied over.

All she wanted was to live one day in which she felt normal and relaxed. She was tired of feeling like someone in the wrong time and world. It was exhausting and at times, dull.

Everyone at the party danced, chatted and lived the lives they thought they wanted, until sirens sounded outside the house.

Everyone screamed and ran out doors and windows.

Tommy rushed to find Leah, shoving her way through the crazed crowd. She spotted her by the door, and when she made her way to her, a very frightened Leah took hold of her hands.

"Tommy! I don't wanna get in trouble!"

"Then let's go!" She shouted and took her friend by the arm and pulled her out of the house.

The girls ran with all their might. Leah was much slower and clumsier while Tommy, spending her time playing sports, was much more athletic and agile.

"Come on, Leah, run! The cops are right behind us!"

Leah fell on the ground in a sobbing mess. "I can't! My leg hurts, and I can't breathe!"

"Well, that's too damn bad! You have to get up and run!"

"I said I can't!"

Tommy looked around and saw flashlights that she guessed belonged to the police nearing them.

"Leah, please try!"

"Tommy, I don't wanna get in trouble! My parents won't let me go to church camp if they know I was here. You know how my dad is! He'll kill me! He'll kill me, Tommy!" She cried and choked on her saliva. She showed her friend what she carried in her hand.

"What the hell are you doing with those pills?" Tommy yelled.

"Miranda gave them to me. I wasn't going to take them. I just took them because I didn't want look lame."

"Leah, you're my friend, but you're damn idiot! A damn idiot!" Tommy shouted and snatched the pills from her hands threw them into the ground.

But it was too late.

"Don't move!" A man yelled.

"Whose pills are those?"

"We're calling your parents."

"You should be ashamed of yourselves, ladies."

"Whose pills?"

Tommy sighed. She looked over at Leah who sobbed and sobbed herself dizzy.

"They're mine."

~Tommy~

Present Time

"I still think you should move to Chicago, old man. Back home," Edward says as he packs what is left of his belongings into boxes.

Carlisle chuckles and shakes his head. "Chicago is no longer my home. But I will make sure to visit. Don't be embarrassed of your old man when I come over."

Edward laughs and gives his father a playful shove.

"I'm sure Esme would appreciate the change of scenery for a few days."

"I'm sure she will."

Edward wraps his old football trophies with newspaper. "Remember when I played football, sophomore year?"

"Of course I do. You scared the shit out of me every time you ran with the damn ball into those defensive players."

Edward smiles at his father rare curse words. "Are you saying I was awful?"

"I'm saying you were a daredevil and I didn't appreciate it. But you were an awesome quarterback."

"Yeah, for that season. You know who taught me to throw a perfect spiral?"

"Who?"

"Tommy."

Carlisle smiles warmly at the mention of her name. "I always liked her. There was just something about her."

Edward nods and continues packing his things.

They rarely have these moments. Both don't smile, laugh or say much. They're too much alike, and it has always been a strain on their relationship, but the younger man has to admit this isn't too bad. He's lived a life of anger, and some of that anger has been towards his father. It has been quite exhausting.

They don't say anything else as they continue to pack his belongings.

Carlisle helps him, questioning some of the things he is taking back to Chicago. It seems Edward has become somewhat of a nostalgic man. He waits for his father to turn away and places Tommy's blue cap into one of his bags.

Maybe one day he'll be able to return it to her.

The house phone rings and Carlisle runs to answer it. A few minutes later, he returns with an annoyed expression.

"Who was it?" Edward asks.

"I don't know. Sometimes I get these calls where I answer, and the other person on the other line says nothing. I know this person is there because I can hear him or her breathing. I say 'hello' a few times, and then they hang up."

"That's so strange."

"It is, and it's quite annoying. It doesn't happen all the time, but it has happened quite a bit, to where I'm starting to get suspicious."

Edward chuckles. "I'm sure it's just a mistake. Don't you have caller ID?"

"It stopped working on my phone, and I haven't had time to replace it."

~Tommy~

Edward has dinner at Cora's Diner with Carlisle and Alice, just like old times. Leah serves them making casual conversation and Edward can't help but think of Tommy every time she comes to their table.

He remembers clearly, who Leah was now. She is the reason he didn't see Tommy for almost a year after that party at Kate's house. He remembers being surprised how quickly Tommy forgave her.

But that was Tommy. It now makes sense.

"So, did we decide that we're spending Thanksgiving in Forks and Christmas in Chicago?" Alice asks.

"We are. I think we could enjoy some time visiting your brother," Carlisle says.

They begin discussing plans and remembering past holidays.

Edward stops listening and stares at the booth in front of them and smiles to himself.

"Is this like a date, Cullen? Because if it is, you're a classy man bringing me to a diner."

He laughed. "I just asked you if you wanted ice cream not to marry me. And for your information, I take my dates to Jerry's Burger."

"Oh, a sports bar and grill! So fancy. I bet you get laid every, single time," she teased.

He threw his napkin at her. "You would know."

She flipped him the bird and dug her spoon into her mountain of chocolate ice cream.

"You have some on your face," he said and smeared some of his ice cream on her cheek.

She glared at him, making him laugh.

"Remember that one time we came here a little buzzed? So much fuckin' fun!" She laughed.

He rolled his eyes playfully at the memory. He had ordered too much food and was not in this mental capacity to realize it, nor was she. He didn't have enough money to pay, and she didn't either. Cora made them wash the dishes in the back. It was rather difficult to hide the fact that they weren't ...'themselves.'

It probably took them twice as long as it should have. They were busy laughing at every, stupid thing and having a competitive bubble competition with the dish soap.

"Remember when you fell on your ass?" It was his turn to laugh, but Tommy was never a sore loser and thankfully had a sense of humor and laughed it off. She got shushed by Cora.

"Are you guys alright? Did you remember to bring money this time? Also, I better not find out you guys had something 'funny' before coming here. I'll kick both of you out on the curb!" She shouted at them, making them laugh even louder.

His cheeks and stomach ached from the laughing. It hadn't been this way in a while. He had spent so much time being angry, and he thanked Tommy for the escape she provided from his bitter mind.

"Swan, we can't wait too long to hang out again."

"Agreed," she said and threw a cherry from her ice cream at him. He jumped to catch it with his mouth, making her laugh again and again when it missed and hit him in the right eye.

"Edward?" Alice calls his name.

He shakes his head as if to clear his thoughts and come back to reality. He sees his father is missing, and Alice points her head towards the restroom.

"You okay?" She asks worriedly.

He nods, trying his best to look normal and not as if he just transported back into time. "I was just remembering some things…"

"Were they nice memories?"

He smiles and plays with the straw in his drink.

"Very much. Do you have memories you would like to keep forever or even relive just one more time at least?"

"Of course. But I think the memories you have will always mean more than mine."

He looks at her with confusion.

"What do you mean by that?"

"I'm just saying. One day, when you see her again, you should tell her of all these special memories you keep of her. I think it'll tell her everything that needs to be said."

He chuckles. "Why does it seem everybody knows about it? I guess we were dumb kids. We didn't think anybody noticed."

"You kept it pretty well hidden. I don't think we ever noticed until she disappeared. You changed."

"I did?"

"Yeah, you kinda went somewhere else in your mind. It was quite obvious she meant a lot to you and you didn't realize it. You know…the whole 'you don't know what you have till it's gone' kinda thing."

He sighs and looks down at his hands.

"It's torture, you know? It's like…nothing is normal or in place. Not that my life as a kid was easy or that losing Mom wasn't painful, but sometimes there's one person that keeps you together. As if that person is the one piece your body and soul need to stay whole. And then that person is gone, and you don't know how to function, turning into little insignificant pieces that don't fit. I torture myself with thoughts of her not feeling the same. Did I mean the same for her? Am I the only one breaking apart?"

She takes his hand, trying to comfort her brother. "I'm sure you meant the world to her. Somewhere out there, Tommy is thinking of you too. She always did."

"I can only hope. Maybe, when I leave this town and the memories, I'll be able to feel better. But then again, when I think of the moments in the past- of the times I spent with her, and the moments in which we leaned on each other to deal with the fact that we were growing up, I don't think feeling 'better' is worth forgetting. Nothing. Not even a life full of peace and comfort is worth forgetting those small pieces of time we spent together."

"Do you ever think of what the day you die will be like? Do you ever wonder if people will be sad?" She asked.

Tommy always asked strange questions. But he answered them anyway. "No, but now that I think about it, I think my dad and sister would be pretty upset about it. One can hope, right?" He said and chuckled.

She smiled. The light of the diner illuminating her pale skin perfectly. "When I think of what that day will be, I don't think of how people will react. I think about my memories. I wonder if God, or whatever happens in the afterlife will let me keep some of them. You know? If he doesn't, then what has been the point of all of this?" She asked, looking around the small diner. He was sure she didn't mean Cora's burgers or the runny ice cream.

He sighed and ran his finger over the vein on her forearm. "I don't know, Swan. But I sure would ask to keep several of my memories."

"Is that so? Which ones?"

"It's a secret. But maybe this exact memory in the making will be one of them."

She giggled and looked around the empty diner to insure thatnobody was looking. She then took his hand in hers.

"One can hope, right?" She asked.


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