BPOV

After a two hour quarrel with Tony, he finally decides to let me be. Although he declares to wring the truth out of me if he catches me in the same mood by tomorrow morning.

Daisy and Cj sit by my feet the entire time, occasionally growling when Tony got too loud.

With a playful threat, Tony leaves.

~•~•~•~•~

The rest of the afternoon passes quickly, I start making dinner while we wait for our parents arrival.

Mia quietly works on her "homework" in the living room, Cj lays by her side, the cartoons low on volume, every so often the show she's watching would make her giggle.

My mind drifts to my parents as I chop vegetables. Why had they never mentioned Renee? It's not as if I had constant nightmares when I first came back to Forks. No. I simply had weekly appointments with a therapist.

My hand feels strange and it's then that I become aware that I've been gripping a tomato a bit too tight. I angrily wipe down the counter and attempt to focus on the task at hand.

Time passes quickly and before I know it mom has arrived. She's quick to take me out of the kitchen, with a peck to my forehead, I'm kicked out.

Daisy and I join Mia in the living room, I busy myself with homework in attempt to distract myself. It's not long after that my dad announces his arrival.

Dinner goes by in a flash. Throughout dinner I felt mom's gaze as she noticed my lack in appetite, she never mentioned anything but I knew she was worrying.

Once the dishes are done and the kitchen is clean we retreat to the living room to watch a movie. Mom and dad cuddle on dad's squeaky recliner while Mia and I share the couch. Daisy and Cj lay on the plush rug beside the couch.

I find it difficult to focus on the movie since all I want to do is figure out what's going on. Looking at my parents, I wonder what they haven't told me about Renee.

As the movies' credits role, mom calls it a night. With only one bathroom we begin our nightly race to get to it first, in which I don't feel like participating tonight, dad wins going by his loud muffled cheers.

Then I hear him groan, "Damn it, I forgot my towel!"

That's granted a laugh, I assume mom hands him his towel as the water begins to run.

I'm last to shower. The house is slowly quieting down, both Cj and Daisy are sleeping in the hallway downstairs, as I'm settling in dad opens my bedroom door.

"Have a good night sweetie," he says, "sleep well."

"Goodnight daddy," I murmur back, his eyes crinkle from his large smile, he shuts the door and I'm left in my silent room.

Shutting the lamp on my bedside table I lay awake in my bed.

The house creaks as it settles. The leaves from the tree outside room brush against my window. I'm unaware of how much time I spend simply looking at the ceiling trying to make shapes out of the shadows outside. It's not until I hear isolated raindrops fall upon my window, I turn to face my clock.

1:25 A.M.

I can't sleep, my mind is reeling from the days events. The raindrops begin to pound on the roof as water pours from the ledges.

I sit up on my bed, the springs creaking in protest in the quiet room, sighing in defeat I get out of bed. Pulling on my warmest sweater and trading my sleeping shorts for sweatpants, I quietly open my bedroom door.

I slowly make my way downstairs, skillfully skipping over the creaky third step. On the last step, I peek out to assure myself my parents door is closed.

I hear the soft click of Daisy's nail as she investigates the night walker. Her cautious approach quickly changes as she notices it's only me, her tails wags as I scratch just behind her ear.

We make our way into the dark kitchen in look for food, suddenly Daisy begins to growl at the dark window facing the dense forest, her tense stance intrigues my curiosity, as I attempt to get close to it she blocks the path with her body. A single bark warns me to back away.

The rain had since become a storm, thunder rumbles through the quiet town, and lightning lights up the dark kitchen. I gasp in horror as a dark figure stares directly at me from the outside, I stumble back, Daisy goes wild as she begins to bark with Cj soon following.

This, of course, wakes up the Chief, he quickly stomps his way down the hall, he follows the barks and turns on the kitchen lights, his rifle in hand.

"Bella?!" He questions, sleep still evident in his eyes, "what's going on? What are you doing up so late?"

"I- I- I couldn't sleep," I stutter a quick explanation, "t-there is someone out there daddy."

He frowns as he walks towards the direction the dogs are barking at, lighting once again illuminates the outside but the figure is gone.

"Are you sure Bells? There's no one out there."

I shake my head stubbornly, I know what saw, I hear mom before I see her round the corner into room.

"Isn't too early for a party?" She murmurs jokingly. She notices my distraught state and rushes to pull me into her warm arms.

Moms soothing words calm my racing heart, dad puts his rifle away as mom and I sit in the living room eating an early light breakfast.

I'm sent to back to bed after being reassured it was just my eyes playing tricks. As I leave the room my parents share worried whispers.

~•~•~•~•~

Morning comes quickly and I struggle to maintain my eyes open; last night, once I managed to get my brain to shut off, I was plagued with nightmares.

I contemplate whether I should go to school or hide in my warm sheets. I don't want to face the reality, for years I had been reassured by trained professionals that they were a figment of my active child mind to mend with any trauma. Trauma that I had mistaken for nightmares.

I can still remember their names, well their nicknames; Ali, Emmy, Es, Rosie, Jazzy, Cal, and Eddie. I never really learned their real names.

My time with them was limited, a few weeks at most, but it was also the best time from what I can remember.

So, I once again question myself wether I wanted them to be real?

Yes, yes I did.

Was I ready to admit my biological mother didn't exactly tolerate me?

No I wasn't.

~•~•~•~•~

The school parking lot is its usual mess, as I park near the trees I search for Tony's car in my rear view mirror. It's not long before I catch glimpse of his large frame heading towards my truck.

I remain in my truck enjoying the warmth that envelops my whole being, his baby blue eyes appear at my side and a broad smile decorates his face as he pops my door open.

"Hello sunshine!"

His voice is loud for such an overcast day.

"You're too much sometimes," I complain, "there's no need to scream when I'm right next to you."

I'm not really in a bad mood but I always enjoy toying with Tony.

"Oh, come on, baby girl what did I tell you about your little attitude?"

I roll my eyes and salute him with a single finger, he drags me out of the trucks cab before closing the door.

I instantly miss the warmth I was enveloped with but I guess Tony's warm arms around my waist would have to do.

"Are you feeling better?" He murmurs into my hair, I nod causing my cheek to rub on his soft cotton t-shirt. He grunts, unconvinced that I'm telling the truth.

"I am! I promise. I'm just sad I didn't get my pie," I confess.

"Oh! Right we never got you your pie!"

The sound of incoming cars distract most of the student body, Tony included, the cars follow each other and park in front of the schools office.

I can't help but look their way as well.

As their doors open it seems as if time slows down and one by one they step out of their respective vehicles.

Happy New Years!