Chapter Ten
Impulsiveness can be charming but deliberation can have an appeal, as well.
(Sarah Dessen,"Along for the Ride")
Charlie took the news of my "dating" Jasper rather well, I think.
Well...he did after the initial shock, awe, background check and inquisition. He didn't understand how I "Didn't know I was dating him".
In fact, after explaining that I had rejected Jasper and hadn't agreed to go out with him and he was now trying to "Woo" me, Charlie decided to play devils advocate.
Charlie had decided to use his benefits of being the chief of police and do a background check on the entire Hale family.
Apparently, they were all squeaky clean because he felt the need to encourage his only daughter to date the youngest male Hale.
"He could be good for you, Bella" He said.
"You need to start acting normal Bells, You don't have to be the parent of the house anymore, you can act like a teenager." He said.
"He seems like a good boy" He said.
Yeah? Well you know what I said?
"Look Cha-Dad, I don't even like him that much! We would never last together so why waste time? You and I both know that these next two years are really important if I want to get into Dartmouth, I need to focus on my studies and my extracurricular activities. Especially since I'm going to need a scholarship!"
I was right too. I needed to focus on my studies and my outside school activities if I wanted to get into Dartmouth.
Turns out, I was also right about Jasper and I not lasting. Sometimes, being right doesn't feel that great.
~~~~It was his mistake~~~~
After Charlie and I had made our agreement that If Jasper asked me out again, I would agree and would "see where it goes" -Charlie's words, not mine, I headed upstairs to my bedroom to finish off some projects and papers that I'll admit, didn't necessarily have to be in anytime soon. In fact, one project didn't have to be until after Christmas, and I had already nearly finished it!
My bedroom was my safe Haven. It was simple. Filled with Blacks, whites, greys and silvers. It was small, but comfortable. I had a bed, some storage space, a desk for my laptop and a closet. It was all I needed. It was perfect for me.
Every time I enter my bedroom, I am reminded of how good a father Charlie is. Despite the fact he hadn't seen me for years, he still went out and updated my bedroom when he found out I was coming home.
The only thing I had to do was pick out a rug to add a dash of colour.
He hadn't seen me in years, and yet, he knew me better than my mother ever had.
It warmed my heart when I thought about Charlie.
He was a quiet guy, never said much, but when he did speak, the words he spoke were always thoughtful, considerate and meaningful.
In a lot of ways, Charlie and I are similar. We are both quiet, sarcastic, loving people who blush when complimented and appreciate any kindness that comes our way.
Charlie was a giver. He loved his Job as Chief of Police. He really felt the need to protect and serve. Despite the long hours he pulled and the multiple weekend shifts, I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that if I called him saying I wanted to spend some daddy-daughter time with him, he would come home. That if I was sick, he would come bring me some chicken soup, that if I was heartbroken, he would buy me chocolate.
I knew, above all else, I was Charlie's pride and Joy.
I was his everything.
I was his shining ray of hope, in dark times.
I was his world.
I was his daughter.
I was his baby girl.
And for these reasons, I have never and will never, blame him for my impending heartbreak, because I knew, with everything that I am, that Charlie was only trying to encourage me to be a normal teenager. To fall in love. To get married. To have kids. To be Happy.
He just wanted me to be happy.
It was for that reason, and that reason only, that Charlie ever encouraged me to date Jasper Whitlock Hale.
And I know for a fact, that to this day, Charlie still hasn't forgiven himself for pushing me to date him.
For pushing me in the direction of hurt, pain, heartbreak and Betrayal.
I have tried -and failed- many times to convince him that in the end, it was all worth it.
My heartbreak lead me to Edward. Lead me to my family. Lead me to my future. It lead my to my happiness, and I will, forever, thank him for that.
~~~~Chapter 10~~~~
I fell asleep to the sound of rain hitting my window after a long night of working on projects and papers.
Surprisingly, I found it soothing, and I drifted off to sleep.
I woke to my alarm blaring. It was Linkin Park's what I've done that really woke me up after the initial blast of generic ear-piercing ring.
I sit up, my hair in its usual haystack and my mouth dry and scratchy from sleeping with my mouth open.
I glance around my room. It was clean and tidy, my schoolbag sitting in the corner, already filled with the books I would need for class. My laptop sat upon my desk, turned off but the screen still up. Light was pouring ip my one window, settling upon a spot on my floor, right beside my bright blue shaggy rug. I smiled, yawned and stretched. My back arched, my head thrown back and my toes curled.
Ah...Morning!
I was in a good mood, I had slept well and had dreams of college acceptance letters, pet puppies and a good workout.
I slide out of bed and quickly dress in a sports bra, yoga pants and some sneakers.
I was going for a run before school.
The route I take goes through and around the town and then follows a short path through the forest. It was the perfect route for me.
With my Ipod blaring in my ears, I began my run. Past the church, the post office, the police station, the preacher's house and down a residential street. As I was passing a large house, beautifully painted with a well taken car of garden, I was joined on my run by none other than Rosalie Hale.
I ignored her. I had no idea what she wanted and I was, in no way, going to let her ruin my run. And my good mood.
I continued my run,finishing my final three miles and stopped outside my house. I pulled my earphones out of my ears and switched my ipod off as Rosalie panted and groaned beside me. She had her body bent, her hands grasping her knees as she tried to catch her breath.
"Do you do that Every morning?" She panted.
"Not every morning. Five days a week. Why?" I asked, politely ignoring the fact that she had interupted my run.
"Jesus Christ! Why would you do that five days a week! I think I died half way through that damn run!" She groaned in response.
We stayed silent as we entered the kitchen. She sat as I began to make breakfast for Charlie. It was only just gone seven and I knew he would be up soon.
"Why did you join me?" I asked, not letting her see my expression as I rooted around in the refridgerator.
She was silent for a while. Pondering what I had asked.
"I need to know why. Why he isn't good enough for you. Why you turned him down. Why you won't give him the time of day." She replied, her voice soft. Her tone confused.
It was way to early in the morning to be dealing with this Bullshit, I thought to myself.
A/N: Please review :) This wasn't Beta'd, sorry for any spelling mistakes :) Please please please review :) Links on profile! Check'em out! Suggestions welcome :)