Once Jasper had dropped me and Leah off at our house, he did as he promised and dropped Alice home. Leah, of course, gave me one glance of recognition before crossing her arms over her chest and trudging up the driveway to the house. I pursed my lips, soon following after her, and walking through the open door, closing it behind me.
Shrugging my coat off, I hear heavy footsteps coming closer to the door where I am.
I hang my coat up on a free hook, when I look up I spot Charlie leaning against the kitchen doorway beside me, watching me with narrowed eyes. He has that same stern look on his face that he usually reserves for his work place. It must be bad if he's using his authoritative look with me
"Hi Dad, I didn't realise you were going to be home at this time?" I say, trying not to think to much into the look he's giving me.
"Well, I was actually just on my way back to the satiation, but I wanted to have a little talk with you before you get ready and go off to work." Charlie answers, leaning off the doorway, and standing at his full daunting height.
"Uh, okay, sure."
"Let's go in the kitchen." He nudges his head towards inside the kitchen, and I nod meekly, following behind him, my teeth sinking into my lip with anticipation.
I don't see mom in the kitchen, which already has me on edge. Since I was twelve I have come home from school to find my mother in this kitchen. In a weird way it was her sanctuary, she once told me she feels at peace in here.
I have no idea why, the rooms too bright, to multi-coloured for my taste. Of course mother selected all the colour arrangements for the kitchen. Lemon yellow wall paper, baby blue woodwork, and four seats with no colour co-ordination at all; one red, one green, one orange and one blue.
Taking a seat in moms favourite, the red seat, I watch as my father takes the seat opposite mine, folding his hands and placing them upon the table, slowly he leans forward.
"What's going on?" I ask, but Charlie takes a deep breath in and shakes his head looking down at the table.
"I'm going to ask you a question Isabella, and I want you to answer me with the truth." He tells me, his eyes flickering back up to focus on me.
I don't recall doing anything wrong...
"Okay." I breath under my breath, preparing myself.
"What has been going on with you lately?" Charlie asks me, and I'm not only confused by his question, but relieved. I know I had nothing to be guilty for, but I couldn't help but think the worse when he gives you 'the look'.
"What do you mean, I'm fine."
"Clearly your not. Your mother told me you've been spending nights on the couch, watching tv until the break of dawn. You barely sleep in your room."
"It's nothing-"
"I can see by the bags under your eyes that your not sleeping, so don't even try to lie about it. What's going on?" He demands.
I looked away from him, my head hanging. I can't stand the look in his eyes, there full of worry for me. When he notices I am not going to answer him he lets out a huff falling back into his seat.
"Do I need to call up Dr Cullen to come visit you-"
"No dad, I don't need a doctor, I've just been having a hard time sleeping lately." I tell him, looking back up at him.
He nods his head slightly.
"I understand Bella. You went through a traumatic experience. Since you were born I made a pledge to keep you shielded from the evil this world has to offer, and I failed you." He sighs in dismay, but I knew that he couldn't be more wrong.
"You can't protect me from everything out there dad. I need to experience life an all the evil and good it has to offer me. It's just the way life is. What happened that day at the shop could have happened to anyone, and yes, it scares me that there are evil people out there, but I have to learn that the hard way, I have to learn from my mistakes and my experiences. It wasn't your fault." I declare to him, and we just watch each other for a second, our eyes saying more to each other then words could ever.
The silence drags on before Charlie pushes his chair back, and stands to his feet. I follow suit standing along with him, leaning back against the kitchen table for support.
"I better get back to work. If you don't start sleeping properly I'll have to get Dr Cullen over to have a word with you. It's not good for you Bella, you need sleep." he wouldn't let me argue and I knew there was no way I could argue my case anyway, because I simply didn't have open.
I nod my head, and as he walks past me he pats my shoulder.
After mine and Charlie's heart to heart I got ready for work. I had his words ringing in my head, I made a promise to myself that I would go to my room tonight and try my hardest to sleep. It didn't matter if I feared closing my eyes. I would try, for my parents sake.
Leah walked out of her room the same time I did, she was putting her coat on and we both seemed to stop and look at each other. I was in my work uniform, my mint green top that resembled and nurse top, my black jeans and black canvas sneakers. Leah looked like she was heading to a party. Short red dress with a low cut v neck, white high-heels on, hair and make up done to perfection, lets not forget about the brown fur coat slung around her shoulders.
"Where are you heading off to?" I question her, as I look at her frame up and down, confused.
"I have a date." she answers simply, pressing her index finger in little taps against her bottom lips, before pressing them tighter making them look glossy.
"A date?" I say confused, my eyebrow's drawing together. "With who?" I ask, following her as she begins to descend the stairs.
"Mike Newton." she answers simply as she steps off the last step.
"What!" I practically shriek, running around her so I can stand in front of her. Placing my hands on her shoulder's I stop her dead in her tracks.
"What? It's just a date Bella."
"What about Edward?" I ask her, trying my best not to let my emotion about Mike get the best of me.
"What about him." She repeats back with a snarky laugh at the end, she moves out of my hold on her. "I'm moving on from him Bella. I know were half sisters and everything and I wish I could tell you why we broke up, but you wouldn't understand. Hell, I don't even really understand it, but I can't just be stuck hanging around with your friends all the time, no offence, but you guys are kind of boring." Leah tells me in her own pessimistic way.
I heard a car horn beep from outside, and It made me turn towards the door, making Leah have enough time to walk past me.
"Leah, you can't go on a date with Mike Newton." I protested, putting my foot down, metaphorically of course.
"Bella, just a couple hours ago I heard you tell Charlie you have to learn from your own experience and mistakes, so let me live out mine." she snaps in my face, grabbing her clutch, as I watch hopelessly from the doorway.
She clambers into the passenger seat of Mikes old pick up truck. I wish I could do anything to stop Leah from doing this, but she practically used my own words against me. There's a difference between making a mistake and making the wrong choice on purpose, and I think that's what she is doing here. It couldn't have been a mistake she picked Mike to go on a date with, I know Leah, he would have been last on the list of men she would date. She practically had the whole football squad to select from. She knows that if there is one person who can piss off Edward more then I do, it will be Mike. The two black eyes he gave him today only proves that even further.
I wish she knew about Alice, about what he did. Then she wouldn't put on this act of pretending not to care for him, and making him jealous. It's too obvious to me that that's what she is doing.
Grabbing my black parka off the coat rack, I slip my car keys and phone into my pocket as I venture out into the never ending rain that looms over this gloomy town. Growing up here you get used to it, and you lavish in whatever sun does break through the clouds. Nights are very rarely warm and dry.
I double check the doors are lock, taking cautious steps down the slippery pavement to the driveway where my rusted red truck sits, waiting to be used again. taking the large step up into the driver seat, I put the key in the ignition and rev it, how ever I am rewarded with a dying, spluttering noise.
"Oh, come one." I say to my self, slumping back into my seat.
Could my night get any worse? This morning I thought it was my lucky day, now things seemed to have taken a turn for the worst.
Leaning forward I apply more pressure, double punching the clutch like Jacob told me to do. I huff, using more force on the clutch as I twist the key. Nothing, my car simply gives a short roar, then purrs down into nothing.
"Perfect." I grumble to myself, collapsing in the seat.
Pulling out my phone, I call the first person on my mind, Jasper. The phone rings, and rings, until it finally gives me the dial tone. I grit my teeth trying to ring him again.
"Come on, come on." I beg aloud closing my head and waiting for the rings to cut off and reward me with him voice.
Still no answer.
I try once again.
"This person is unable to take your call at the moment, please try again-"
With a deep breath, I phone Rosalie, knowing that Alice's father wouldn't allow her to pick me up, not matter what the emergency.
"What's up Belie?" A deep and gruff voice answers.
"Emmett?" I question as static noises begin to fill my ears.
"Emmett, give me my phone." I hear Rosalie snap, irritated, followed by more ruffling noises.
I obviously called at a bad time.
"Bella? Sorry about Emmett he's had some champagne." Rose explains.
"It's fine," I tell her. "I was wondering if maybe one of you could drive me to work, my truck broke down."
"Oh, Bella I wish I could help you, but I'm in Port Angeles with Emmett and my parents, they refused to let me date him before getting to know him, dads trying to get him drunk so he will play up and mom is being instead on knowing every detail about his past, its hell over here." Rose tells me, and I laugh a little picturing it all inside my head.
That defiantly sounds like Rosalie's parents. From what I know about them there equally cautious when it comes to Rosalie and her life choices. Much different to Alice who just has someone who is completely overbearing, telling her what's right and wrong, and what she should be doing, not what she wants to do.
"Oh, that's okay, Rose, you've obviously got a lot on your plate."
"How are you going to get to work, you can't walk there in this weather, you'll catch a cold."
"Could, you call Edward and ask him to come pick me up." I say, gnawing on my lip as I say so. Edward may have been my last resort, but Rosalie is right, I will catch a cold, and I've had to carpool with him to work before, I survived and so did he.
"Edward?" Rose chuckles." You two in a car, I can't see that working out. Why don't you phone him?" She questions and I sigh, griping my free hand onto the latex steering wheel.
"We never got around to exchanging numbers, like we would ever need each others numbers in the first place...just call him Rose, please, for me." I beg her.
"Fine. I'll text you soon." She promises me.
After our good byes I am left alone in silence again. I contemplate trying to call Jasper again, as I stare at his contact name a new message pops up.
Rose: He's not far from your house, and prepare, he sounds in a mood to piss you off.
Me: Great, just great.
Rose: I rather be in a car with Edward then where I am now. Mum just asked Emmett if he was a virgin and if he plans of deflowering me.
Me: Well, we both know that flower got picked a while ago now.
Rose: Shut up.
I chuckle into the quite confinements of my car, missing the simple joy of being able to relax and talk to my friends without a worry in the world. Now I've got the nightmares, Edward, Mike and my sister looming on my mind.
I hear three soft taps on my window, and when I turn I see the scariest thing in the world. Edward smiling, hunched over, looking at me through the wind-shield, just inches away from face planting the window.
I unlock the door, all the while trying to ignore Edwards cocky grin, as I shove my door open, nearly whacking him in the face.
"I take it your having a bad day." He chuckles, when I slam the door shut behind me.
"You have no idea." I mutter, walking over to his, silver Volvo, looking out of place parked against my curb.
"Why what's going on?" He asks me, while I take a seat in the back of the car, and he takes his place in the drivers seat.
"It's not like you care, so don't worry about it." I sigh, leaning my head against the window and taking a deep breath.
"Bella, just tell me. I can't guarantee that I will care, but I can guarantee that I will take pleasure in your misery." He jokes, and I close my eyes shaking my head a little.
"Actually, its you who is going to be miserable if I tell you." I mutter, as the car lurches forward, and I scramble to lock in my seat belt, forgetting how fast Edward drives.
"Jerk." I hiss under my breath, which makes him chuckle.
"Just tell me Bella." He sighs, his eyes flickering at me.
"Keep your eyes on the road."I snap at him ,as he begins to turn in his seat to face me.
"Well its your fault for sitting all the way back there." He huffs, peeling his eyes back to the road.
"Look Edward, just promise me you won't over react and do something stupid?" I ask him, leaning off the window, as I realised this conversation was getting serious.
"I promise, now what is it?"
"Leah is on a date tonight." I began slowly, watching Edward with caution.
He kept his focus straight ahead of him, and he simply nodded waiting for me to continue.
"With Mike." I say.
"What!" He shouts. "How the hell did you let her go out with him Bella, you know what he did to Alice and you let her go out with him!" He yells at me, the speed meter noticeably rising.
"I didn't have a choice Edward, I tried to warn her, but she was hell bent on going out with him." I shout right back at him, feeling my blood start to boil with anger at his accusation against me.
"Where did they go?" He fumes, gripping onto the steering wheel.
"I don't know. Why, are you jealous?" I question him, crossing my arms over my chest and trying to control myself from passing out at the speed were going.
He snickers.
"No, I'm not jealous. I'm pissed that Leah is dumb enough to go out with someone like Mike."
"She went out with you." I tease, a grin making its way onto my face, but once I see how contorted Edward's face is with anger, my grin slowly starts to die down.
"You know what, I really don't care what Leah does-" He snaps, the car nearly skidding to a stop, as I slam against the car door from the force.
I wince a little, before turning to look out the window surprised to see the shop right there, the light from inside a beacon in the dark. No wonder we got here so quick. Edward is a manic behind the wheel.
"She isn't my problem any-more." He snaps, getting out of the car.
Well I've pissed him off.
The whole shift I stood behind the counter, watching as Edward walked the aisles, stocking up the shelves, and keeping focused on his work. I know that he knew I was watching him, he caught my stare a couple times but never commented on it, he just looked away and go on with his work. I felt like he was holding back from the truth. I couldn't just believe that he didn't care for Leah any more.
I think I was waiting for him to snap, but he never did. He just got on with his work, and didn't say thing to me.
As we closed the shop together, it was silent walking over to the car. Edward walked in front of me, I thought it was out of anger, but I was wrong when he opened the back door for me. I stopped where I was, as he nudged his head in the direction of the open door.
"Get in then." He snaps, eyes hard as he looks at me.
"I know your pissed, but you don't have to be a dick." I say, moving past him and opening the passenger door, and clambering in.
I let my stubbornness get the bet of me, and now I'm sitting in his passenger seat.
Great.
A couple seconds later I heard the back door slam behind me, and Edward calmly walked around the front of the car. I tried relax, as Edward to his sea in the driver's side. He sat there for a moment, I saw him from the corner of my eye look at me before he turned the key in the ignition, making the car roar to life below us.
I was slightly startled as he began to speak to me with such a soft, soothing tone.
"I'm sorry. I didn't want to be rude to you today. It's just..." He trails off, closing his eyes.
"I get it, you still care about Leah and your worried for her." I say in understanding, but Edward snickers shaking his head in disagreement, before looking at me with a smile.
"I don't care Bella. Not like I used to. I'm worried that he will tell her that I was the one that beat him up, and Leah being Leah will obviously tell my coach because she would do anything to make me miserable at the moment. Does that make me a bad person?" He asks me, turning in his seat to look at me.
I should have sat in the back.
"I don't know." I tell him as a answer, as I didn't know what to think about what he was telling me.
Realisation crossed his face, and he quickly turned in his seat pulling out of the parking lot quicker then I was prepared for. This was getting weird, the way the two of us seemed to be able to talk so easily to each other. But his asking me for advise...that's even more weird.
"Forget I said anything, let's just get you home." He tells me, looking back at the road ahead of us and I did the same, glad that our small chat was over, but the awkwardness left behind was unwelcoming.
A/N
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