Chapter 12: Back For Good

The next day, we were back in Washington.

The oh-so-familiar rain made me take a deep sigh of relief. I couldn't wait to see Jared and Steph again.

Adrenaline pumped through my veins as we pulled up to the bus station in Washington.

Chase glanced at me. "Excited?"

I nodded, pulling my sweater on.

"Thanks for sitting with me this trip." I said with a smile. "I would've been bored out of my mind."

"No problem." He smiled. "Have fun in Forks."

"Have fun in Seattle." I said.

"Oh definitely." He laughed. "Hey, if you ever need me, here's my number." He wrote his number out on a piece of paper and handed it to me.

"Thanks." I said, tucking it into my purse.

"Take care of yourself, Kristina." He said, hugging me.

I fought against the flinch that threatened to surface and hugged him back.

"Bye Chase." I said, as he got into a cab.

I hailed a cab, and gave the driver Steph's address.

When the cab pulled up to the familiar house, I breathed a sigh of relief. I threw a few twenties at him and pulled my things out of the trunk. Thankfully, Steph's car was in the driveway, so I practically ran to the door.

I knocked and waited.

When she opened the door, her eyes widened in surprise.

"Kristina?" she gasped.

"I told you I'd be back!" I grinned, hugging my aunt.

"How?" she gasped.

"I told my parents that I'm eighteen and I can make my own decisions." I said. "So I got a Greyhound ticket and came here."

"Wow, Kris. That's awesome!" she said.

"So, what do you say?" I asked. "Can I stay here again?"

"Your room is still up there." She grinned.

"Thanks Steph." I said, dragging my bags up to my room.

Steph leaned in my doorway.

"I think you should go to La Push." She advised. "Someone's missed you."

My breath caught in my throat.

"Can I use your car?" I whispered.

"Of course." She said, handing me her keys.

I practically ran out of the house and into the car. I drove to Jared's house and knocked on the door.

Minutes later he opened it.

His eyes widened in shock when he saw me.

"Kristina?" he whispered.

"Hey." I said softly.

"You're back?" he whispered.

I nodded.

"For good?" he whispered.

I nodded again.

He pulled me into a hug.

"Thank god." He whispered. "I was so worried."

I felt tears stinging at my eyes for some weird reason. I blinked them away.

He pulled away from me.

He smiled at me. "I'm glad you're back."

"I am too, trust me." I said.

Jared pulled me into his house.

"You shouldn't live in Forks." He said.

I felt my stomach drop. "You want me to leave again?"

"No!" he said quickly. "Not at all! I don't mean it that way."

I blinked at him, not understanding what he meant.

"Kris, I want you to move down here." He said softly.

"What?" I whispered.

"You should live in La Push where he can't get to you." He said.

"I don't have an apartment." I said softly. "I don't have money to pay for that…not yet…I had to quit my job when I left…"

He stared at me. I stared back, until realization slowly seeped into my body.

"You…you want me to move here?" I asked. "In your house with you?"

He nodded.

"Wait-how do you even pay for this house?" I asked.

"It was my parents' place." He said. "When they…left I got it."

I nodded, biting my lip.

"Kris, there's three bedrooms." He said. "Why not?"

"I don't know." I said. "I'd be a burden on you."

"No you wouldn't." he said, smile tugging at his lips. "You're my imprint, remember? I'd be glad to have you staying here, it would be a relief."

"Will my aunt be safe?" I asked.

"He doesn't want her, he wants you." Jared said.

"I don't know…what if something happens to her?" I asked.

"Nothing will happen, Kris." He assured me. "You can ask the Cullens to watch over the house for you. In case he comes back."

"Jared, I'll have to think about it."

"Take as long as you need." He said quietly. "You can't make a rushed decision."

"I know." I said. "I have to talk to my aunt."

He nodded. "I understand. But Sam and all the other guys think it's best for you. You're part of the pack, part of the family now, none of us want to see you get hurt, Kris."

My throat tightened. "That…that means a lot to me."

He smiled. "I know."

"I should go." I said. "I have to sort some things out with my aunt, okay?"

"Drive safely, Kris." He said.

"I will." I whispered.

I left his house and got into Steph's car.

I obviously had a lot to think about.

If I moved in with Jared, I would be completely safe. There would be no chance of Edward finding me. He was bound by treaty not to go into Forks. He would be risking a war by even attempting it, yet alone trying to kidnap me.

But, on a completely other note, Steph would be left unprotected. I knew Jared wouldn't want to have her staying with us, that'd be pretty uncomfortable for him. I could always ask if the Cullens could watch over the house, but that would make me feel guilty, first for tearing their family apart, second by asking them to do that for me.

I sighed.