Misguided Silver Linings

Chapter 8 – The Brightest Stars Shine in the Deepest Darkness

The Eastern Sky – AdventureLand (Let Our Hearts Dream)

Bella POV –

I couldn't help as my jaw almost dropped to the centre of the earth, I had never seen the woman in front of me before but she was so desperately beautiful I would have turned for her in an instant; then she opened her mouth.
"You just can't help yourself can you?"
"Excuse me?"
"Isabella Marie Swan, born September 13th in Phoenix Arizona to Renee Swan and an unknown male, "technically", you attended Madison Elementary School where you showed strong intelligence but lacked the dedication. Your sports scores were high although you were known as excessively clumsy. After finishing elementary school you attended North High School where once again you maintained high grades but didn't show dedication, what surprised me though was that the yearbook photos showed you were very popular until late last year. Which ofcause coincides with your mothers marriage to Phil Dywer. Shall I continue or have you got the message that you're not the only one who can ask some questions and Google." She was blunt, unemotive and down right cold.
"What is it to you, I get it, you're obviously a Cullen, but I haven't located anything but public records. I could have you arrested for what you just told me." I replied equally stubborn and cold.
"I'd like to see you try." I almost wanted to smack the smirk off her face but the rational part of me said I needed to be the bigger person, well atleast show some restraint.
"Look I don't really care, I wasn't trying to pry, and I just want to know how to thank the guy who saved my life."

"Well take it from me, he doesn't want thanks and he doesn't want to see you."
"Why don't I believe you." There was something in the way she said it and more importantly in the way she couldn't look me in the eye.
"Because you are stubborn and stupid."
"Coming from the blonde at the table."

"Take my advice, stop playing with fire."
"Why because I'm going to get burnt? Cause I can tell you now I'm already burning and Jasper, who I am assuming is you're adopted brother, is the only solace I have found."
"Its because he's a small mystery, a project if you will. You'll get bored or more likely he will and you'll end up wishing you never heard the Cullen name."

"Than let it be my choice, I want to figure this out whether I have to be burned to ash."
"Far out you sound so much like him."
"He's looking for me?"
"No you make him burn. Take my advice, wait out this small period of your life, get into a good college, move far far away and marry a normal man and live a normal life."
"What if that isn't what I want? I want something more than just normal."
"You don't even know what you want." Before she could continue with her tongue lashing a tall dark haired burly teen came up to the table.
"I think it's time you leave Cullen. This girl hasn't done anything wrong and I'm sick of hearing you berate her with no grounds."
"Do you want me to tell you where you can stick it dog?"
"That's rich coming from a girl like you, leave before I get higher powers involved."
"Go fetch a bone."

He moved toward her, his eyes sharped and it was like he grew five inches in all directions, he was huge and had made his point.

Without another word she got up and left, absolutely stunned I couldn't move until she was almost at her Mercedes, something made me move and I couldn't help but follow her.

"Why did you find me?" I shouted across the car park as I ran towards her.
"Because without even meeting half of my family you have shaken everything up." She responded as she opened her door, her eyes would have killed me if they could. "And without even trying you have alerted the cavalry."
"But how?" I asked as I finally reached her out of breath.
"By breathing." She slammed her door and drove out of the park like a racecar driver. Although she wanted to keep me away, I just wanted to know more. It sparked something inside of me, something I hadn't felt since before Mom met Phil.

Turning around to pick up my bag from the booth where I left it I banged head first into the chest of the guy inside. "You left this inside." He said as he handed me my bag and books. "You need to stay away from her."
"What honestly makes you think I wanted to be near her in the first place." I replied in all earnest as I tried to still put everything together.
"Fine smarty pants, you need to stay away from ALL of the Cullen's."
"What is with this town, everyone either loves the Cullen's or hates them."
"It because they aren't you're normal everyday kinda family."
"As apposed to?"
"You really can hold your own, I like that in a girl, my names Jacob,"
"Bella, so how do you fit in with the Cullen's."
"Long time family feud?"
"What sort of family feud are we talking, Romeo and Juliet or more like the television show?"
"You're funny, let's just say it goes beyond just families getting along."
"Wait hold a sec, you said a long time family feud, didn't they just move into the area a few years ago?"
"Yeah that's what they want people to think, but I can see it in your eyes I've said too much, plus it's getting dark. We wouldn't your family to be worried."
"They wouldn't even notice I'm gone, I want to know more."
"Would you believe me if I told you I quite literally couldn't tell you anymore?"
"No."
"Well, the powers at be demand that this is as far as the story goes, even if I wanted to tell you more."
"Can't you atleast give me a hint?"
"You're on the right track, the Cullens moved here a couple of years ago, but this isn't the first time they have been here."
"That's impossible."
"Are you so sure?"

For that first time in a while I seriously didn't have an answer. Was it really impossible? I had seen the records, the photo's, Dr Carlisle hadn't aged a day, but what could it possibly mean, there is no logical answer, no instant cure, nothing rational that could ever work. But maybe that was it, it wasn't rational nor logical, something so devoid of the usual that the usual couldn't understand.

"Bella, is everything okay?" He grabbed my arm gently turning me around.

"Why wouldn't it be."
"You've figured it out."

"Figured what out?"
"You can't lie to me, look here's my number, if you need to, give me a call. I might not be able to tell you, but you can always tell me and I can always say yes or no."

"Thanks, but I still have no clue."
"But you will, I'll be waiting."

Turning I walked to my car, not turning back. I didn't know this Jacob from a bar of soap, but something made me warm up to him but his words kept on replaying in my head. What had I figured out, what had I fallen into. Something so unknown and obtuse, my own mind couldn't get to the answer. But I had greater things to worry about; I had a feeling I was going to be in deep shit. I was technically grounded and in my avoidance to come home I was breaking more rules.

So if I was already going to be thrown through hell and back when I got home, why not live a little more. Driving out of town as the sun set in the crystal blue sky I followed the road to wherever it led me, thank goodness for Stat nav other wise I wouldn't have known how to get home, but for now it didn't matter. All that did was me, my car and the hot little phone sitting on the seat beside me. I knew that going through his call log was intrusive and thank god blonde bitch didn't know I had it, but so much of me wanted to know more. Turning off into a forest park area I found a little grove where I could sit in my car undisturbed. Tossing with the idea to look through the phone more, the angels on my shoulders had a field day. To know more or to let sleeping dogs lay? I couldn't help it, I had to know more.

Grabbing the phone I opened it up to look at the messages, there were names I had seen before and names I didn't have a clue about. Most of his texts were to a man named Peter and I didn't know whether to freak out or feel elated but most of his last texts were about me.
Jasper: Peter, I don't know how she does it, she just, she shows her emotions in such vivid colours and ways, its beautiful, heartbreakingly beautiful. She is going through so much but this strength, it's unmeasurable, I just want to know her.
Peter: But can you be around her?
Jasper: I am sure I can, I would never want to hurt her.
Peter: YOU wouldn't want to hurt her, but maybe you couldn't help but hurt her.
Jasper: It's not like everyone else doesn't have faith in me, not you too.
Peter: If she is, who you say she is, then time is worth the wait.
Jasper: But I can't wait forever.
Peter: In our state, forever is possible, you need to wait it out.

That was the last message, it was perplexing, what did he mean about my emotions and strength. He talked as if he knows, like he could see them. But this is purely impossible. No one could see anything like that, sure people over the world deceived people by saying they could see things like that but come on, no one really could. But what got me more curious was what he meant by not wanting to hurt me but maybe even if he didn't want to he still could. Oh my brain and your stupid over thinking.

Browsing through some more I found messages from Alice asking him to check in as if he was a child. Messages from Edward whoever he was mostly filled with rude remarks and fighting words, Jasper's responses were all well thought out and witty and ofcause messages from blondie demanding he pulled his head in. My God, the things I wanted to do to her head, like shove it between a fridge and it's door, mind you I would never have the guts to do something like that, nor the character. But I loved the way Jasper texted to all of his friends and family, it was always well written and thoughtful, even when they acted like idiots. Leaving his messages behind I flicked through his music and found such a mix, from current artists to composers and singers I doubted my grandfather had known. Putting in my ear buds I pressed shuffle as I let his music fill my ears as I attempted to feel closer to my mystery man. Going through some of his photo's I was in absolute awe at the images he had taken. Most were of landscapes but there were a few of people, with the most amazingly emotional looks, some happy, others just in utter peace, some upset but every single one a perfect depiction of that emotion.

Letting my mind carry on with it's thoughts, I let my world fade away as the sun disappeared from the sky with the moon taking it's place. I couldn't help the dream that came, it wasn't very animated or full of amazing ideas, it was simply Jasper and I sitting on a patch of grass talking, his responses just like the way he texted, witty, I just felt so happy and at home beside him. It didn't matter about anything outside of the world other than being right there with him. As the dream progressed I ended up sitting between his legs as I laid my back against his chest, just letting his fingers trace through my hair. It was sheer perfection and a moment I would never want to leave. But I was pulled from my dream by an incessant beeping noise. Looking back at the phone I realised a text had come in from an unknown number.

So, you found my phone. I wondered where it had gotten to, I'm glad it's in safe hands, I'll come and get it off you some time soon. Stay safe Bella,

Instantly I texted back.

Who's phone is it that I have? Asking to see if it really was Jasper actually texting me.

You and I both know the answer to that question.

How do I know it's you though? I asked not knowing if it was another of blondies mean streaks.

You'll just have to trust me my Star

You said anything about me being your star?

Okay, miss star.

Still I don't understand the reference.

Stars shine in sky of darkness, just like you; a bright light in a world of darkness. Now go home before it gets too dark, although you shine, not everyone else does.

How do you know where I am?

It's a iPhone, they all have location services, now stop arguing with me and go home.

Will you still talk to me if I go home?

I didn't get a reply, I wanted one, but there where a million reasons why in that moment he might not have been able to. None which I really wanted to think about. Following his request I made my way for home, even though the whole time I was wishing to escape. Instead of parking in the driveway like I normally did. I moved my car to the side hoping neither mom nor Phil saw my headlights. Heading towards the tree outside my bedroom, I tentatively made my way up to the branch that pretty much came to my window. I thankfully didn't shut my window all the way, for such a time as this really. Trying to not kill myself I balanced between the tree and the windowsill until I was able to pull myself in.

Putting my bag down I silently opened my door trying to find out where Phil and my mother were, sure enough they were in the kitchen and for some unknown reason I was the topic of the hour. "I cannot believe Bella, how am I supposed to feel welcome when she yells at me like yesterday? I came in here trying to be her father but all I get from her is rejection! I have done so much for this family and look at the thanks I get. She has no respect what so ever, she is an insolent naive child who will never amount to anything. You need to back me up Renee, you are too kind to her, she deserves a lot harsher punishment."
"Ofcorse Phil, I understand, but Bella's life has gone through a lot change with this. She just needs some time. Last night was the first night she ever talked back to you Phil and you have yelled at her many times, I think she has been doing a great job."
"Sure Bella has gone through change but so have the rest of us. I yell at Bella because she lacks so much intelligence and respect; she shouldn't have yelled back at me full stop. It doesn't change what I think of her. I think she should be sent off the boarding school, she doesn't belong here, the boarding school probably won't even take her, she doesn't belong anywhere."
"Phil, don't be so harsh,"
"Renee, it is her or me."
"You know it is you Phil,"
"Then back me up Renee!"
"Ok, I do? What do you want me to do?"

"Let me be the head of this house and I swear to god Renee if she as so much goes against that one more time, well lets just say I'll give her a good enough reason to never do it again."

Retreating back to my bedroom in fear of my future, I locked the door and put my chair against the knob, I didn't know what he was capable of, but I knew it was bad. Jasper was right, some people definitely didn't shine any kind of light at all. I didn't know what to do, he was a new brand of crazy, but I didn't have anything, no money, no real education, no job. I had no choice but to stay in this prison, I would just have to follow blindly until I could escape, when that would be though I would never know.

Sitting by my window I searched the darkness of the sky to look to the stars, it gave me solace; it quietened my soul. Oh how I wish I could sprout wings and fly, just get so far away from this place. I also wondered what would happen if I did disappear, would anyone notice? If I did run away would any one try and find me?

I didn't know, before Phil I would have said there would have been search parties and in time I would have been found. But now, with the state I am in and the current state of my broken family, I think if I disappeared no one would even notice. Even though I wanted to just give up, I couldn't, not yet. There was still just a little bit of fight left in me. I don't know why, but something tells me it has to get better, it must.

But a small voice in my head reminded me, this was probably just the beginning.

Thanks for reading, remember reviewers reportedly get more Halloween candy than most!